Disabled people protest lack of access at World Cup in South Africa

From The AP:

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa -- World Cup organizing chief Danny Jordaan believes issues surrounding ticket sales, stadium readiness and space for disabled fans — the latest problem facing the tournament — will be resolved soon.

More than 50 disabled people — blind, deaf, and wheelchair-bound — protested the lack of space for them at World Cup matches on March 25 at South African Football Association headquarters at Soccer City.

The demonstrators chanted slogans and carried banners which read "the deaf want to be heard" and "no seats for us."

Jordaan told the members of the South African Disabled Association that organizers were willing to work with them. The demonstrators responded by setting fire to wheelchair tires. SAFA security guards quickly extinguished the blaze.

"Come and live the life of a person with disabilities," SADA executive Ari Seirlis said. "You've got your fat seat there at 2010, we've got no seats available."

The tournament starts on June 11.

Jordaan later visited Alexandra township in Johannesburg, where he received a friendlier welcome from youngsters who will represent South Africa in the FIFA-sponsored Football for Hope event in July.

"We believe that football is a generator of hope," Jordaan told them to applause.

"This World Cup is not only about the Messis, the Ronaldos, the Wayne Rooneys and all of these big stars that are coming ... there is another World Cup. The World Cup of Alexandra. A World Cup of hope, a World Cup of change, a World Cup of opportunity."

Tickets for the kids' event are sold out, unlike the World Cup itself.

Jordaan also said organizers will speak to injured English superstar David Beckham about appearing at the opening ceremony at Soccer City.

"Look, I think that already there is an indications that he (Beckham) will come with the England team and he will work for the 2018 bid so we will meet him when he comes here," he said.