“Put simply, it has never been FIFA's intention to turn the use of specific words and/or phrases such as ‘2010', and ‘World Cup' (when not commercially exploited in relation to football) into a criminal offence,” continues the statement.
FIFA's intention has always been to protect the commercial partners and their exclusive right to create a commercial association with the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Therefore the use of these terms need only be restricted in combination with football imagery or if it is an attempt to create an association with the 2010 FIFA World Cup, FIFA or the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa (OC).
“The process to accurately reflect this specific protection in the legal framework is indeed very complex; however, the South African Government, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Organising Committee and FIFA are aware of the prevailing confusion and all are working together to resolve this matter shortly,” concludes the statement.
