Héctor Vergara is calling from a South African safe house. Per instructions, he must be vague: the location is “about an hour” outside of Johannesburg. The former country estate has lots of green space, a library, chapel, restaurant, and a pool—although it’s far too chilly to swim in the southern hemisphere at this time of year. The rooms are cabin-style, but luxurious. And the complex is “totally secured,” with a single entrance and guards stationed around the perimeter.
FIFA has spared little expense to keep Vergara and its 83 other officials for the World Cup of soccer in splendid isolation for the next month. The unidentified resort has been equipped with everything the linesmen and referees might need. Conference rooms have state-of-the-art video equipment for reviewing matches and breaking down contentious plays. Its wellness centre is staffed 24 hours a day with physiotherapists and masseuses. Psychologists are on standby. There are no other guests.[Read More]
