SABC does have an agreement with Fifa

JOHANNESBURG - The SABC does have an agreement with Fifa to be the official broadcaster of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the broadcaster said on Wednesday.

This, after a newspaper report claimed it did not have a broadcast contract with Fifa.

The Star reported on Monday that the SABC “used the World Cup as an excuse to avoid an interdict overturning a questionable R400 million contract” for outside broadcasting (OB) units.

It reported that lawyers for Fifa’s agent, Host Broadcast Services (HBS) had indicated in court documents pertaining to the tender matter that there was no contract.

“Our client wishes to advise that no such contract between HBS and the SABC exists,” the Star quoted from the lawyers’ response to a subpoena to appear in court.

“In addition, no SABC OB trucks will be required by HBS for the 2010 Fifa World Cup to be held in South Africa.”

In a statement on Wednesday, SABC spokesman Kaizer Kganyago said it had already been necessary to use the OB vans.

They were used for the preliminary draw for Fifa in December 2007, the Confederations Cup draw and 11 of the 16 Confederation Cup matches.

Two of the new OB units would be used by HBS for the final draw on the December 4.

Kganyago said the awarding of the contract to SonySA was “appropriate” as it was R66 million cheaper than the bid by Digital Horizons, which has brought a challenge in the High Court in Johannesburg against the awarding of the tender.

“... The court case will not in any way hamper the broadcasting of this tournament as suggested,” Kganyago said.

- Sapa