Cape Town – The City of Cape Town is on the verge of signing a deal for English Premier League club Liverpool to play in Cape Town next month.
In its current state, the deal could see the likes of Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard and even Luis Suarez travel to Cape Town.
The Uruguayan’s 10-match ban for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic during a match doesn’t prevent him from taking part in international matches or friendly games.
While all signs point towards the club agreeing to play here, intense negotiations were still underway on Thursday night.
Bringing the UK club to the Mother City won’t be cheap, with the fixture reportedly carrying a provisional price tag of at least R20 million.
For councillor Yagyah Adams, who serves on the city’s finance portfolio committee, the cost is unacceptable.
At a full council meeting on Wednesday, he said the DA pushed through a recommendation to sponsor the match, which would see the side take on Ajax Cape Town on May 21.
“R15m would go straight to Liverpool and ticket sales were only projected at R8m,” he told the Cape Argus on Thursday.
“We are also paying for things like appearance fees and hotel accommodation and transport for Ajax, even though they operate and live in the city of Cape Town.”
He said the deal would result in a massive loss that was a “kick in the balls” for ratepayers who would ultimately have to foot the bill.
“I just can’t see how you can justify spending so much on this match. Both teams are languishing at the bottom of their respective leagues.”
Liverpool are sitting seventh on the Barclay’s Premier League table, while Ajax Cape Town are second from bottom in the Premier Soccer League.
Adams said the city had once again been bullied into a lopsided deal.
“We could have had (Liverpool) for cheaper. Maybe if it was Barcelona or Manchester United, the price would be acceptable.”
Mayoral committee member for tourism, events and marketing, Grant Pascoe said big games were not just for entertainment.
He said they gave Cape Town’s emerging market, and status as a gateway to Africa, vital international exposure that would not only attract tourists but investors too.
The Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s human capital chairman Michael Bagraim agreed. He said South Africa was still reaping the rewards of the 2010 World Cup.
“Every time we have a match of that high calibre, an enormous amount of employment takes places. It touches every single sector of Cape Town’s infrastructure. From an employment point of view, it’s fantastic.”
He said the city’s decision to not host the African Cup of Nations and host Liverpool was understandable.
“The European league has a bigger following, and when it comes down to it, we want to attract the euro, the pound and the dollar before any other currency.”
*Pascoe said representatives from Premier League side Everton were in Cape Town on Thursday to assess the possibility of the club visiting later this year. – Cape Argus