South African union says low turnout for Confederations Cup soccer an embarrassment

SA union: Low soccer turnout an embarrassment

JOHANNESBURG — Low attendance at Confederations Cup matches are an embarrassment to South Africa, the country’s trade union confederation said Wednesday.

Host South Africa almost filled the Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg for Sunday’s opening game of the two-week tournament, but the world’s best teams — including Brazil, Spain and Italy — have played to less than full grounds, with some half-full.

“The Congress of South African Trade Unions urgently calls upon South Africans to buy more tickets and attend the Confederations Cup matches in greater numbers,” congress spokesman Patrick Craven said in a statement.

“The low turnouts at some matches have been a serious embarrassment to the country and must be improved upon, if we are to demonstrate to the world our passion for soccer, and to remove any doubts about our commitment to the 2010 World Cup tournament.”

South Africa play a crucial game against New Zealand in Rustenburg on Wednesday after Sunday’s 0-0 draw against Iraq.

Local fans have complained prices are too high, and FIFA President Sepp Blatter has called on organizers to do more to fill stadiums.

Blatter said Monday in Bloemfontein that he met with local organizers and told them he wasn’t happy with the empty seats.

“We were happy with the crowd in the stadium but not with the number of spectators for the opening game,” Blatter said. “I think they could have done a little bit more.”