Fifa say the 2010 World Cup organisers have made big progress

The new head of communications for Fifa has warned western commentators not to doubt South Africa's ability to host the World Cup in 2010.

Hans Klaus said organisers of SA 2010 were ahead of schedule on some issues and great progress had been made.

"We should not talk down a country's ability to organise a huge sporting event like the World Cup," he said.

He said recent political changes in South Africa had not affected the country's commitment to hosting.

Many western newspapers have expressed doubts about Fifa's decision to give the 2010 tournament to South Africa.

The country's crime rate is most often cited as the reason for questioning the move.

Mr Klaus told the BBC that competition security was already in hand and that "national security" could only be the responsibility of the government.

He reiterated Fifa's position that there is no "fall-back plan" for the tournament to be taken elsewhere.

And he said Fifa was working hard to try and make sure the whole African continent benefited from the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

"Fifa is concentrating on both development and corporate social responsibility," he said.

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