Because playing in South Africa is slowly becoming a rather bad idea.

With still two years from the 2010 FIFA World Cup, it has been well documented that South Africa still has major security problems that choosing the country to host the biggest football tournament in the world is turning out to be bad judgment in FIFA’s part.

It is because of this fact that FIFA president Sepp Blatter came up with three possible alternate destinations for his tournament if South Africa becomes too hostile for football.

‘’I have spoken to three possible, not only possible, but three associations and countries that would be able to stage the World Cup in one year’s time,'’ FIFA president Sepp Blatter said in an interview broadcast. ‘’They need one year [to prepare].'’

South Africa, aside from their security problems, still have other issues that may have pushed the idea of the country hosting the World Cup farther and farther away. One of which is the fact that the Port Elizabeth stadium is unlikely to be completed for next June’s 2009 Confederations Cup tuneup event, a precursor for the World Cup.

Add that to transport problems and the possibility of power outages.

As of press time, Blatter is not naming the three alternate hosts just yet. Instead, he shifted topics by starting to talk about the possible transfer of Portugese sensation Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United to Real Madrid.

Surprise surprise…

Cristiano Ronaldo has already expressed his desire to join Real Madrid but Manchester United has repeatedly insisted that their star will not be sold at any price.

Blatter believes that protecting the game’s players is more important than the clubs. That means, if a player wants to leave, let him leave. Hmm… I wonder what Manchester United is thinking now?

‘’We should also protect the player and if the player wants to play somewhere else, then a solution should be found,'’ Blatter said. ‘’Because if he stays in a club where he does not feel comfortable to play, then it’s not good for the player and for the club. I’m always in favor to protect the player and if the player, he wants to leave, let him leave.'’

Can Italy win again at the 2010 FIFA World Cup? Bodog sportsbook has the odds on Italy’s European Qualifying Group for the tournament.

Italy 1.29

Bulgaria 7.00

Cyprus 51.00

Montenegro 201.00

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more international football odds and the best betting lines on some of today’s biggest sporting events.

2010 FIFA World Cup Cristiano Ronaldo