Football lovers will be able to watch 2010 FIFA World Cup matches free on SABC television and at venues offering public viewing, the 2010 Local Organising Committee (LOC) and the South African Broadcasting Cooperation (SABC) announced on Monday.

“It is great news for the LOC that all South Africans have the opportunity to share the world cup feeling within their community, irrespective of whether they live in a small or big city,” said LOC Chief Executive Officer Danny Jordaan.

This follows months of negotiations. In June 2006, the SABC and FIFA had signed television and radio rights agreement in Benin, Germany for the 2010 and 2014 world cups.

The SABC, official FIFA broadcasting partner, did not need to get a license to broadcast the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2009 or the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Pubs, clubs, restaurants and bars would not need to apply for a broadcasting license if these establishments did not charge admission fees or participate in sponsorship activities.

SABC’s Chief Executive Officer Dali Mpofu explained that one could not charge a direct or indirect admission fee to the event.

The broadcasting rights would be allowed strictly for non-commercial purposes.

He highlighted that the SABC group will be sponsoring 200 viewing sites across the length and breadth of the country.

FIFA Director of Television, Nicolas Ericson said the world cup could be broadcast in local bars and pubs as long an entrance fee is not charged, to ensure that more people enjoyed the unique world cup ambience.

He said, however, anyone who did want to charge an admission fee to broadcast matches publicly would have to apply for a license from FIFA.

FIFA has worked hard to unsure that the world cup reaches as many people as possible, said Mr Ericson.

All revenue generated by public viewing licenses in South Africa will be donated by FIFA to the official campaign of the world cup, 20 centres for 2010.

The campaign aims to raise at least $10 million to construct 20 Football for Hope Centres across Africa.

LOC spokesperson, Tim Modise said they would be undertaking a massive public education campaign to inform South Africans about their viewing rights.

He said, however, the broadcast rights will differ for public viewing areas to that of fan parks, and that a decision on fan parks broadcast rights would be made in the coming month.

Find all the information on the Start of FIFA 2010 and the World Cup Qualifying Draws on CapeTownMagazine.com.

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