June 22 – Cameroon coach Hugo Broos (pictured) has lamented the travel arrangements at the Confederations Cup as the Indomitable Lions got stuck in traffic on the way to practice and media duties in Saint Petersburg. The incident will put organisers on red alert for next year’s World Cup finals.
At the end of Wednesday’s press conference a Russian journalist sarcastically asked Broos if he’d please remember that Thursday’s Group B match against Australia kicks off at 6pm local time as Cameroon had arrived 45 minutes late for their training session in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday and then 30 minutes behind schedule for the press conference.
“It’s not our fault,” responded Broos said. “Maybe the organisation team must review the way teams are transferred to and from the venues. I was extremely annoyed and from that point of view I think things must be reviewed.”
In Moscow Cameroon had also faced similar transport complications, with traffic congestion in Russia’s capital a time-honored tradition.
“There’s only one police car in front of your bus and it’s just following the traffic,” said the Belgian coach, who led Cameroon to a surprise African Cup of Nations victory in January. “It’s not just the fact that you then get to training an hour later – it means that everything gets put back an hour. So yesterday we had to eat our evening meal at 10 pm and it’s too late. It’s something they need to do something about next year when all the big countries are here [for the World Cup].”
Broos, visibly angered, didn’t stop there. “We said to the people from FIFA at our hotel that it’s unbelievable and we can’t accept it,” continued Cameroon’s coach. “It was the second time. I know there is much traffic here — it’s a disaster. Even in Africa we get straight to the stadium. I hope they will learn from it otherwise there will be a big problem next year.”
“FIFA is committed to providing all teams participating in the FIFA Confederations Cup with the best possible conditions,” said a FIFA spokesperson. “However, specific matters related to local transport fall under the scope of the LOC [local organising committee] which has sent a message of apology to FECAFOOT [the Cameroon FA].”
Eleven cities will host next year’s World Cup and with the influx of hundred of thousands of fans from around the world local transport and traffic congestion will be tested to the limit. Much of the Confederations Cup is a dress rehearsal for the World Cup and this is one issue organisers will want to address.
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