FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke has cited media in England and Germany as being behind a wave of negative publicity ahead of this summer’s World Cup in South Africa.

FIFA have met with the South Africa media pressure group concerned over the implications of the press accreditation rules for this summer’s world cup but are refusing to disclose details of the meeting on January 21.

The opening of the stadium that will host this year’s World Cup Final in South Africa has been delayed.

During FIFA's World Cup in South Africa, football fans may get their drinks served on a coaster with the message: "Don't leave this bar without picking up a condom." At least that is one suggestion from a recent consultation process in South Africa on how to deal with the very real problem that close to half a million football fans will come looking for a good time in a country where 1 in 5 are estimated to be infected by HIV.

Jimmy Mohlala, member of the organising committee of the 2010 World Cup and ANC council speaker was shot and killed in front of his home this weekend. Last year Mohlala caused the suspension of senior officials within the ANC when he revealed manipulation of tenders regarding the construction of a 2010 World Cup Stadium.

In 2010, FIFA’s football World Cup will take place in Africa for the first time ever. All African nations have their hearts set on sending a team to South Africa, but over the past two weeks Kenya has come perilously close to losing the chance to qualify for the event after a group of  former football officials has tried to overthrow the leadership of the Kenyan Football Federation (KFF).

South African parliamentarian George Lekgetho of the ruling ANC party has proposed that South Africa legalises prostitution for the duration of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in order to prevent instances of rape, as well as bring in revenue for the government to help the unemployed. His suggestion is the latest development in an ongoing debate in South Africa about how to tackle prostitution and human trafficking before the World Cup kicks off in two years time.

The troubled Cape Town preparations for the 2010 football World Cup face further problems as an environmental group opposes the construction of a stadium in Cape Town and threatens the city with legal action.