Soccer-Zimbabwe turmoil adds to World Cup challenge

By Mark Gleeson

JOHANNESBURG, July 9 (Reuters) - Political turmoil in neighbouring Zimbabwe was adding to a long list of problems South Africa faced in its preparation for the 2010 World Cup finals, FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke said on Wednesday.

"The situation in Zimbabwe has to be solved quickly. What is happening there is definitely terrible," Valcke told a media briefing in Johannesburg on Wednesday.

"It would have been nice for South Africa with all the other challenges they are facing not to have the problem of Zimbabwe on top of it all."

Valcke said FIFA backed various international initiatives to resolve the political impasse following the contested elections that returned president Robert Mugabe to power last month.

"We add our voice to concerns and we fully support what is being done by all international organisations."

But Valcke said he was unsure what the effect of possible international sanctions might be on Zimbabwe's national team, who are involved in 2010 World Cup qualifiers.

"Their national association has done nothing wrong. This would be something we would have to discuss with the United Nations. We do have links with some international bodies but for the time being I can tell you we have made no decision on Zimbabwe."

Valcke said the list of organisational challenges in South Africa for the 2010 tournament, which kicks off in 700 days from Thursday, remained long.