World Cup 2010: AIDS Groups Protest FIFA Ban Policy

JOHANNESBURG — AIDS awareness groups said Saturday they are protesting against FIFA for not allowing them to distribute health-related information and condoms at World Cup stadiums and fan events in South Africa.

But FIFA spokesman Pekka Odriozola said the governing body had not received any requests from organizations wishing to do so.

An alliance of 10 leading South African HIV/AIDS organizations said FIFA has not permitted civic groups to set up booths and small "wellness centers" at FIFA controlled venues. Mark Heywood, a spokesman for the alliance, said the tournament was an unprecedented chance to bring AIDS awareness to millions of fans.

"We have not received any requests, that we are aware of at least, from these organizations saying that they had any problems related to any of their activities," Odriozola said. "Since we haven't received any requests, I am not aware of any decision or any possibility that they would not have been allowed or would have been allowed. We simply don't have the request."

FIFA has launched its own HIV campaign with host city authorities by encouraging them to install "fan service areas" in the cities during the tournament, which starts on June 11 and finishes on July 11. FIFA said in a statement Saturday it would distribute basic medicines, sunscreen and condoms for free.

City medical departments and ambulance services were also expected to make available HIV information leaflets and condoms.

FIFA also says HIV prevention messages and advertisements for condoms will be shown on giant screens at venues. AIDS and health awareness training were also included in FIFA's "Football for Hope" program alongside the setting up of youth centers in impoverished townships across South Africa.

Heywood, who is also vice chairman of the South African National AIDS Council chaired by South African Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, said civic groups were still not allowed to operate inside FIFA designated areas in and around World Cup venues to reach the core of fans and supporters.

He said FIFA's support program missed the crucial target of the bulk of fans and revelers inside its venues.

"It is disgraceful conduct," Heywood told The Associated Press. "We are being denied a massive opportunity."

Comments

[Oleg1]

06:17 PM on 06/06/2010

Go Germany!

[Oleg1]

06:17 PM on 06/06/2010

Anytime there's a global sporting event of significance, some media starving bstards are trying to muck it up.

[toxicbrainpoison]

06:02 AM on 06/06/2010

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBkVuT5pw1g&feature=PlayList&p=B503CEEA58B60FAA&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=19

AYDS commercial.

[Yeah-Me]

12:26 PM on 06/06/2010

......................
(no comment)

[KinkyGirl]

01:03 PM on 06/06/2010

"Buy four packages of AYDS and get a box of KANCER for free"
That was hilarious!!!!!!

[angelneptustar]

04:18 AM on 06/06/2010

http://cyberboris.wordpress.com/2010/06/06/tories-spark-the-lions-roar/

As soon as the Tories came to power, England won a World Series. We won the World 20/20 cricket series, an outstanding performance from our team and Kevin Pietersen was man of the series.

With the advent of the Football World Cup, we are hoping that the new spirit engendered by the Tories in the country is heralding a New Age for English sport.

[Johnowen]

07:06 AM on 06/06/2010

Rubbish. The Tories aren't in power. It is a "Coalition". Nothing to do with the Tories nor the Lib Dems. Tories do not spend money on sport. I am old enough to remember a previous Labour Government who ran a scheme called "Sport For All" which funded the construction of sports halls and other sporting facilities. Thatcher let the scheme die, like she did with most of British industry, the NHS, state schools and with Reagen removed the financial regulations, which left in the state we are in today.

John Major had the foresight to introduce the National Lottery which helped to fund some of the sport, which resulted in a good showing at the last Olympics.

No doubt you would claim that any success at the 2012 Olympics will be down to the Tories, who were lukewarm about the bid and are talking about cutbacks already.

Cameron is interested in shooting and fox hunting. His father taught him how to shoot rabbits as a youngster. It is obvious he would repeal the hunting Act.

With regard to winning the T20, many of the England team are not English. Petersen is South African. Keisweiter-South African, Morgan-Irish Trott-South African.

1966-England won the World Cup under Labour, they haven't since

[angelneptustar]

07:44 AM on 06/06/2010

We have a Tory Prime Minister and a Tory Mayor. I am talking about inspiration. All Gordon Brown did was sell off all our school playing fields, and put a hex on every match he attended because England invariably lost.

The Saffers in our cricket team have enough English blood to qualify to be English. England now embraces all cultures, if you comply with the rules.

You are just an old Killjoy, bitter and twisted cos Labour are out. They won't be back for at least 50 years, that's for sure! Boris will wipe the floor with anyone who stands against him.

http://cyberboris.wordpress.com/2010/06/06/tories-spark-the-lions-roar/

Go England and go for it Tories!

[Johnowen]

07:10 AM on 06/06/2010

I have just read your link.

You are barking or taking it

[angelneptustar]

11:52 AM on 06/07/2010

Neither one, I assure you. I just think it's best to stay positive and the team should take their inspiration where they can.

Gordon Brown had such an awful effect on the UK, all the negativity, lies, back stabbing were getting everyone down.

It is refreshing to see how hard David Cameron works at being part of a team, and how gracious and polite he is. The conduct of Parliamentary business is being conducted in a much nicer spirit, and the different parties are trying to pull together. This is mainly down to him.

Boris Johnson is an inspirational Mayor, he has loads of panache, energy and imagination. Londoners love him.

All I am saying is why not look to these two as sources of inspiration for our sport? And there is no denying, to win a World Series in the 20/20 cricket was definitely a great omen.
http://cyberboris.wordpress.com/2010/06/06/tories-spark-the-lions-roar/

[hottingers]

10:49 PM on 06/05/2010

FIFA earns a red card.

[Calvin Skinner]

09:43 PM on 06/05/2010

I am amazed at the pervasive ignorance of people! As I read the comments posted on this subject challenging the validity of complaints placed against FIFA on this subject, this is an outrage. So before all you good gentile Westerners make that trek to South Africa to regale yourselves think about these facts:

An estimated 5.7 million people were living with HIV and AIDS in South Africa in 2009, more than in any other country.1 It is believed that in 2008, over 250,000 South Africans died of AIDS.2 National prevalence is around 11%, with some age groups being particularly affected. Almost one-in-three women aged 25-29, and over a quarter of men aged 30-34, are living with HIV.3 HIV prevalence among those aged two and older also varies by province with the Western Cape (3.8%) and Northern Cape (5.9%) being least affected, and Mpumulanga (15.4%) and KwaZulu-Natal (15.8%) at the upper end of the scale.

for more check this link: http://www.avert.org/aidssouthafrica.htm and please let's restore geography and social studies to our education system because the planet earth is not confined between the Western shore of the Atlantic, the northern shore of the Gulf, and the eastern shore of the Pacific

WAKE UP PEOPLE

[sarapy]

08:08 PM on 06/05/2010

FIFA, with their TRILLIONS of dollars does not like AIDS or HIV Positive people. They have demonstrated that time and again. They have NEVER been of any assistance to HIV+ or People Living With HIV or AIDS. I boycot all FIFA events. If you are not happy with them, boycot them as well.

[Dnietz]

01:04 AM on 06/06/2010

How does that compare to the NBA or NFL policies?

[Steve1976]

05:10 PM on 06/06/2010

The NBA and NFL allow the use of hands.

[g20bric]

07:53 PM on 06/05/2010

FIFA said they haven't received any official request from AIDS prevention organizations.

Wouldn't be nice if FIFA actually INVITE those organizations and pay them for their great cause?

Hopefully AIDS prevention booths will be allowed and displayed at every single stadium at World Cup 2010.

SHAME ON FIFA!

[firelord5000]

07:27 PM on 06/05/2010

Sorry, this isn't about awareness, its about enjoying a sporting event that happens once every 4 years. Not everything has to have some sort of message regarding wellbeing related to it, anyone who can afford to go to the games can afford to get the rubber on their own, bug out awareness groups.

[FLVolFan]

10:22 PM on 06/05/2010

I guess you are right. A sporting event is much more important than a life or death situation. South Africa has been decimated by AIDS, every event or outlet needs to be used to get information out.

[firelord5000]

12:37 AM on 06/06/2010

All I hear is buncha waaa waaa waaa, go F your self Mr. High and Mighty.

[FPhoebe]

11:59 PM on 06/05/2010

Actually, the residents of the host country get a pretty significant ticket discount so that they can also attend the games that may otherwise be out of the price range for them....so no, not everyone can afford, or has access to a good education about "rubbers."

There was a recent article, I think in Time or some other publication like that, about how the sex trade was going to be rampant during the World Cup. More than ever there needs to be awareness about AIDS prevention!!

[flyn2hi]

06:35 PM on 06/05/2010

Yep...cause every time I go to a sporting event I expect someone to hand me a condom just in case I meet that one guy I have been dying to have bathroom sex with!?!?! Not understanding why HIV/AIDS groups feel that the attendees are their target demo.

[Macnos]

06:45 PM on 06/05/2010

Their primary aim is to spread awareness. I don't see how that can possibly bother anyone.

[Jericho the Red]

07:17 PM on 06/05/2010

Hetero couples engaged in unsafe sex can transmitt HIV as well. The need for education in paramount for the control and eventual cure of this virus....

Education does not damage, ignorance does.. The audience that will be attending, the fans who will be there.. It would be foolish not to try to educate during this time.
Freedom and Liberation come from true education.

[SeaDickRun420]

06:13 PM on 06/05/2010

I have AIDS and am going to take a completely different view than every other commenter below.

When I go to a movie, theater, or sporting event, I want to go to the movie, theater and sporting event, not a health seminar or some kind of political rally.

Seriously, is there a person in western civilization that does not know how HIV is transmitted? The place to pass out free condoms is where people might actually get carried away and have sex in the heat of the moment...like bars, hot tubs, saunas, hotels, etc. Do we pass out condoms and HIV info at church or after President Obama makes a speech?? No, 'cause its unlikely that HIV will be transmitted at THESE places:)

Go onto Craigslists M4M in any US city and see how many guys are knowingly engaging in risky behavior and requesting unsafe sex. Guys now think if they get HIV all they have to do is take one pill a day and no problem.

Why don't we just send the condoms and health info out with the census workers?? We could send out a male and female pair that could even demonstrate the proper way to use a condom. While they are there, they could also talk to me about the Book of Mormon and witness to me about Jehovah and save me a lot of time.

[FredKnowsBest]

06:57 PM on 06/05/2010

I agree with you. Everyone seems to want to educate everyone these days. Sometimes you just want to be left alone.

[Jericho the Red]

07:21 PM on 06/05/2010

South Africa=
The 2007 UNAIDS report estimated that 5,700,000 South Africans had HIV/AIDS, or just under 12% of South Africa's population of 48 million[1]. The number of infected is larger than in any other single country in the world. The other top five countries with the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence are all neighbours of South Africa.

yup, they don't need to educate there do they.. where you live it may be different. But there, they need access to as much education and help as they can get.

[niko73]

07:56 PM on 06/05/2010

Why do you assume education is the problem? I lived in Africa for four years. Nearly everyone I talked to knew condoms could prevent HIV.

In all but the very remote areas of Africa, the problem is behavior, not education.

[ThatsTheTheWayItIs]

06:06 PM on 06/05/2010

A non-issue, soccer fans never get laid :-)

[abuja19]

06:09 PM on 06/05/2010

haha. good joke. (rolls eyes)

[RockyMissouri]

05:54 PM on 06/05/2010

We seem to be getting stupider.....

[MIhangel apYrs]

05:20 PM on 06/05/2010

merciful heaven, can't I get away from the World Cup even at HuffPo?!

It is starting to dominate the UK news, TV and Press., and frankly it makes me sick.

[Macnos]

06:46 PM on 06/05/2010

You better hide under a rock then.

[madrediterra]

01:02 PM on 06/06/2010

That means it's time for the "You've won the FIFA lottery" emails to begin flowing. I'm glad, 'cause that Nigerian prince stood me up.

[ArmyTanker]

04:52 PM on 06/05/2010

What is wrong with our society? Health and welfare infos can't be distributed at an event that attracts thousands? Does human life mean so little? I quit following professional sports about 2 years ago. For the reason that we pay someone to play a sport for 1 or 2 hours and they can make a couple hundred thousand $, and someone who will run into a burning building to save someones life makes barley enough to support a family in a year. To me that logic seems twisted.