Aylesbury LIFE because Learning Is For Everyone

Open Letter to FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter

Joseph S. Blatter
FIFA-Strasse 20,
P.O. Box 8044 Zurich, Switzerland

Dear Joseph,

It is clear from members of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) in Zimbabwe that Mugabe's ZANU-PF have been gearing up for war since they lost the election at the end of March.

It is clear from the evidence of James McGee, US Ambassador to Zimbabwe, that the "violence has spun out of control" (his words), and again that civic societies, diplomatic groups and NGOs have compiled 1500 affidavits from "people who have been victims of the violence since the [29 March 2008] election."

Again from MDC it seems they have been badly let down by the South
African president, who is distanced from his party on this matter. It is now impossible for the presidential run-off election on 27 June 2008 to be fair.

I love watching football with my boys but if Mugabe remains in power it is clear he and his allies would receive kudos and economic benefit
from hosting the World Cup in South Africa. I could not be party to that.

In all good conscience I would not be able to visit SA still less the
Zimbabwean hotels planned for the world cup. Whatever media channels win the broadcast rights, well they had better consider the price they pay because I, for one, would not be watching.

It does seem that by fair means and foul and whatever the outcome of the so-called election on 27 June 2008, Mugabe and his military junta will remain in power.

I hope you are making progress with plans for an alternative venue for the World Cup in 2010.

Yours sincerely,

Jocelyn E. Chappell
--
ICT Teacher,
Pebble Brook School
Aylesbury, England