FIFA restrictions on the local media and fans alike have seriously stifled the African spice which would only add to the soccer atmosphere around the Confederations Cup 2009. Of the eight teams taking part in the Cup - four have arrived and so far there has not been a single fan at the airport to give them that warm South African welcome.

All media including the SABC - who are the official broadcasters of the tournament - are barred from filming any team arrival. This task has been given to a private company never heard of in sport circles. Local fans will also not be welcome anywhere in the vicinity of the airport due to security considerations.

An electric atmosphere always prevails at the South African airports when international teams arrive for major tournaments as these teams are normally greeted by a cacophony of noise from fans and well wishers who are eager to get a glimpse of their favourite stars.

The Confederations Cup is just a taste of what airport management can expect ahead of the 2010 Soccer World Cup. About 1 000 police officers have been deployed full time to the airport and that number will increase come 2010. There will be a separate portable check-in unit for FIFA delegates and participating teams. And although only 5 000 international spectators are expected, police are ready for the deluge of 400 000 fans likely to swamp their sporting heroes as they touch down.

Security behind low-key arrivals

With a serious lack of fanfare, questions are being asked as to the logic of keeping fans away from the teams at the airport. The low key atmosphere surrounding the arrival of the champions is in stark contrast to all the hype South Africans have been exposed to in recent months.

A joint agreement between FIFA, the local organising committee, and the Airports Company of South Africa (Acsa) has sought to keep the galaxy of arriving stars as far away from the public as possible and it will probably be the same in 2010. Acsa official Chris Hlekane says there were a number of security considerations taken into account by all involved in the process and that is the reason for the restrictions.

Aviation restrictions

The South African aviation industry is apparently facing tough airspace restrictions for the Confederations Cup. For security reasons the airspace around the host cities and stadiums will be declared restricted areas during the tournaments and prior special permission to use the airspace has to be sought. On match days, tougher restrictions will be in place. People intending to use the airspace have to apply at least two days prior to the trip.

CEO of the South African Civil Aviation Authority Colin Jordaan says only the air force will grant authorisation to aircrafts intending to use the restricted flying areas. Jordaan says passengers on scheduled airlines will however not be affected. Aircrafts using the airspace have to go through a two-day vetting procedure. Charles Noval a senior manager from the Air Traffic and Navigation Services, says the idea is not to spoil the fun, but people will have schedule their trips differently because rules will be strict and vetting process is about knowing who is the aircraft, where is it going to, and what's the purpose of the trip and why is it important for it to use that particular air route.

From midnight, on June 13 to June 28, the airspace around the O.R Tambo International, Lanseria Airport, north of Johannesburg, Rand Airport in Germiston, Grand Central in Midrand, Bloemfontein and Pilanesburg in the north-west will officially be declared temporary restricted flying areas.

Meanwhile, on a financial front FIFA showed a $184 million profit in 2008, thanks mostly to additional television and marketing deals struck for the 2010 World Cup. The Congress approved FIFA's 2010 budget, which includes about $1.1 billion in expenses, more than half related to operational costs for the World Cup in South Africa.