STATEMENT BY THE EXECUTIVE MAYOR OF CAPE TOWN, ALDERMAN PATRICIA DE LILLE ON THE HOST CITY DECISION FOR AFCON 2013

The City of Cape Town notes with deep disappointment the decision not to include Cape Town as a host city for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2013. From the outset, the City expressed its desire to be part of what we truly believe is a celebration of African football.

However, at each stage of the process, we have highlighted a number of serious legal, financial and other concerns that needed to be negotiated in order for the City to comply with our legal responsibilities and to ensure that we did not compromise the interests of the ratepayers and citizens of Cape Town.

These concerns were shared by a number of other municipalities.

We continue to believe that it would have been irresponsible to sign a host city agreement without substantial amendments to the agreement. The fact that other municipalities have seen fit to do so is surprising given the serious problems associated with the agreement.

It is highly regrettable that, despite numerous attempts, we did not receive the courtesy of a reply to these stated concerns. Unfortunately, it appears that all of them have fallen on deaf ears.

What is even more distressing is that the City has had to wait to be informed by media reports the final outcome of the Local Organising Committee's (LOC's), the South African Football Association (SAFA) and the national cabinet's deliberations.

We would have thought, given the circumstances, that the least we could have expected was the courtesy of a formal indication that we were not going to be considered as a host city.

Despite this disappointment, the City remains committed to the hosting of high profile national, regional and international football matches. We are currently in negotiations with a range of partners with a view to hosting a high profile football tournament in June this year, and are hopeful that we will be able to make an announcement in this regard very soon.

On behalf of the City, I would like to wish the organisers of the AFCON 2013 all the best for the hosting of a successful tournament.

Statement issued by Executive Mayor of Cape Town, Alderman Patricia de Lille, May 4 2012

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