Mie1

Germany's World Cup stars have been warned to expect to wear bullet-proof vests if they venture away from the team hotel at next year's tournament in South Africa.


The head of Leverkusen-based security firm BaySecur, who look after the the German Football Federation (DFB) and their guests when the national team play away from Germany, says their stars like Michael Ballack must take extra care in South Africa.

BaySecur is one of the firms expected to be employed by the DFB while the team is involved in the tournament which runs from June 11 until July 11 when the final will be held at Johannesburg's Soccer City stadium.

"The possibility for the players of moving outside of the hotel boundaries should be kept to a minimum," BaySecur's Guenter Schnelle told German magazine Sport-Bild.

"Otherwise there must be a full escort: armed security guards and bullet-proof vests for the players."

The German Football Federation (DFB) are already looking to step up security around the team hotel in Pretoria for the World Cup.

Because of high crime rates in the republic, the DFB are taking no risks with security, says their security boss Helmut Spahn, and are looking to recruit 20 extra security guards for the team's stay at their five-star accommodation.

Private bodyguards will protect the players both within and around the Velmore Grande hotel in Gauteng.

"We will probably use more personnel than we would normally have," said Spahn, who will spend four days in South Africa next week looking at security arrangements.

"We need to first of all get an idea of what security arrangements are already in place for both the team and the media.

"Then we will decide then whether to improve the security measures or whether they are sufficient."

According to Spahn, there is little chance the DFB will rely only on local security guards in South Africa and Germany's federal police force is already in discussions with the DFB on the issue.

AFP

Darko1

A case of better to be safe than to be sorry? But honestly......I dont need a bullet proof vest to go out in Windhoek. And these are the same people going Africa this , Africa that.....

Galaxy

Personally I find it sad that the security advisers want the team members to wear bullet proof wests. I wonder how many of the German players who ply their trade outside Germany would want to wear it. Of course there will be opportunistic crime, and visitors who are naive about South Africa and who flaunt their wealth and gadgets may end up victims of crime. I lived in South Africa and it's just like any other city: Keep your eyes open and watch your back!

Where I don't agree with Darko1 is that Windhoek is comparable to Johannesburg - it is not! But please, come visit South Africa and enjoy the World Cup. Be wise, keep you reyes open, inform yourself, and take defensive measures. But bullet proof wests? Come on Germany!

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Comrade_007

Well said, Galaxy. I'm a bit stumped to be honest. Are these reports actually true? Sure, crime is an issue but it's not as if the South Aricans are not aware of that. They are about to roll out a huuuuuge security operation to ensure the tournament is peaceful and a success. And Darko1 is right: There were very few incidents during the Confed Cup and it was attended by many superstars!

So, in line with Galaxy's sentiments: Come and enjoy South Africa and the World Cup Yes, this is not Germany and yes, you have to be careful, vigilant and keep your wits about you. But I can assure you: There are areas in London, in Berlin, in Paris, in Hamburg in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, Rio de Janeiro etc.etc.etc you would be well advised to styay clear of. They are contorlled by armed and violent gangs, just like part of Johannesburg, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, etc.etc.etc.

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Andrew1

He he - you better also give the Germanz peeps earplugs because those Vuvuzela's make a noise, since they have been reported to have an effect on one's hearing ability which could result in one being deaf.

SO maybe also bring along own cars, own food, own hotels? Why not have the World Cup in Germany again? Sorry about the crime.

theman

LOL: Hier's die storie straight van The Spoof:

Quote:

The German football team is to wear bullet proof vests during next year's world cup. The German Football Association's security advisor Gunter Schnell said "Ya, we are so disliked all over the world that our football team needs to wear bullet proof vests. Just because we start a couple of world wars and put our beach towels out to claim all the sun loungers. It's so unfair." If the decision to wear the vests is controversial then the brown shirts they will wear as a second strip may cause an even greater stir. German kit suppliers Naziwear of Berchtesgarten said "We want our young men to look heroic as they go to wage war (er... play football?)." Security fears in South Africa, host of the tournament, are rife. However,the England team are not concerned. Wayne Rooney is very familiar with Toxteth and if you've been for a night out with Ashley Cole then you can cope with anything. Reports are coming in that the Germans are considering selecting a Panzer division in place of their usual back 4. As soon as the squads are announced we shall be returning to this story....

Mie1

The Jerries may have gone über-board a bit!, but from what I am able to gather from contacts in Jerry Land, that is not an isolated opinion.

A great pity .........

Dude

Make jokes about the Germans all you want - they won't be the first, and they won't be the last team whose security people take this measure.

Some may announce it, some may do it quietly but it is patently clear that people are worried, and so they should be. Let's be realistic, people: In South Africa crime, especially violent crime, is basically pretty much out of control. Even the English team will be taken pretty rigorous security measures, and so will everyone else.

Pity this is not a joke, and pity the Germans are being made to look foolish when all they are doing is being realistic, prudent and careful. Gauteng ain't a walk in the park - actually very few people would go for a walk in the park. The mistake they made is announcing it, that's all.

Time will tell, my friends. Time will tell.

Diffie

What is so funny about this. It's a serious and really sad matter. Look at the statistics and you'll realise the concerns are not without reason. If it were not for Columbia Jo'burg would be the world's murder capital....and considering the instability there lately, precautions are certainly warranted regardless of race. This is not about race whichever way you want to twist it. A friend of mine visited SA two times and has been robbed on both visits. One time with a gun in his face.

Comrade_007

So, it appears the German Soccer Federation (DFB) is denying it intends to equip German national players with bullet proof vests. According to spokesman Harald Stenger there was no basis to the reports. Seems to me the BaySecur peep said something he quickly regretted and it was picked up by the international media. I agree with Dude that any measures will in any case not be announced to the world, but kept rather quiet. This is a touchy subject after all.

Quote:

Johannesburg — THE local organising committee (LOC) yesterday welcomed a statement by the German Football Federation (DFB) denying reports that its squad for the 2010 Soccer World Cup, to be held in SA, was being advised to wear bulletproof vests. The reports were based on remarks by BaySecur -- the security firm that looks after the DFB and its guests when the national team plays away -- that stars such as Michael Ballack should take extra care in SA. Germany's Sport Bild weekly had quoted Guenter Schnelle of BaySecur as saying that German players' movements outside the hotel boundaries "should be kept to a minimum" amid concerns over SA's high crime rate. "Otherwise there must be a full escort: armed security guards and bulletproof vests for the players," he said. DFB spokesman Harald Stenger said yesterday there was no basis to the reports. "We are aware of the reaction in SA and immediately made it clear after these false reports were published that we are not considering equipping the players with bulletproof vests," Stenger said. The DFB's security head, Helmut Spahn, is travelling to SA with a small delegation over the weekend to get a detailed impression of the squad's base near Pretoria. LOC spokesman Rich Mkhondo said yesterday the committee was surprised by the company's comments. "(BaySecur) have never been in contact with us, nor have they ever visited the country, nor have they asked about plans we have to ensure the safety of the visitors for the 2010 World Cup." With Sapa-DPA

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