Stampedes won't be an issue for World Cup

The organizer of the World Cup in South Africa pledged Monday that the problems which too often lead to stadium stampedes on the continent will not be an issue during the 2010 tournament.

Danny Jordaan, speaking a day after a stampede at a World Cup qualifying match in Ivory Coast killed at least 19 people, said many African fans buy their tickets when they reach the stadium, and often arrive late.

He said a typical scenario involved impatient crowds outside hearing a goal has been scored.

"It triggers a stampede that leads to disaster," Jordaan said. "Those things will not occur in the Confederations Cup or the World Cup. It is impossible."

JOHANNESBURG, AP