Content: Fabio Capello is ready to sign on the dotted line and use the Royal Bafokeng Sports Campus
Fabio Capello has confirmed that he is happy with the facilities at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Campus and is ready to sign a deal that sees England use the complex as their training headquarters for this summer"s World Cup.
FIFA have yet to confirm the bases for the 32 teams at this summer"stournament in South Africa but Capello is happy with the progress atthe proposed site in the north-west of the country, even thoughconstruction is not completed.
The England boss was given assurances that the medical centre at England"sproposed base will be delivered on time and pitches will be up tostandard.
"I"m really happy," he said. "We checked everything and it improveda lot from the last time we stayed here. The pitches are good and willbe better for June. The pitches and the centre we choose will be veryimportant for us.
"The hotel is really, really nice and the medical centre will beready in two months. I"m really, really happy because it"s the thirdtime I"ve stayed here and the facilities are fantastic. We visited four different places and this was the best."
He added: "We have to sign but we are ready for the signing of the contract."
Capello is confident his World Cup training camp will ensure no repeat of the circus that accompanied England in Baden-Baden four years ago.
Buildingsite: Recent pictures show workers preparing a pitch (above) at theRoyal Bafokeng Sports Campus in South Africa and construction work(below)
The Italian visited the complex near Rustenburg on his way to thepre-World Cup meeting with 18 other national coaches at Sun City - andthe site"s isolated location means WAGs and members of players"entourages will be at a distance.
That was not the casewhen England played in Germany during their last major tournament, butCapello said: "When I started this period I hoped it would not be thesame."
The 2006 summer was the height of the England team being engulfed by the culture of celebrity, with Rio Ferdinand since branding the era as a "circus" where players were more interested in WAGs than winning.
Capello has seen recently how his players" private lives are now under intense scrutiny, with John Terry losing the captaincy following allegations regarding Wayne Bridge"s ex-girlfriend.
Both are expected to be selected by Capello for the friendly against Egypt next week at Wembley - and Stuart Pearce, who is in Capello"s backroom staff, does not anticipate problems.
"I don"t see it being an issue," said Pearce, the current Under 21 coach, who was speaking at the launch of the Nationwide Right Hand Fan competition, on behalf of England team sponsors Nationwide.
No WAGs: Fabio Capello will separate his England players from their wives at the World Cup in order to avoid a repeat of the "circus" in Baden-Baden in 2006
"We had a situation that I didn"t feel warranted a week"s worth offront-page news. "Most people have backed the way that Fabio hashandled it and now I don"t think there will be a problem at all.
"When you turn up to represent England, the only thing that is important is England winning."
Capello is due to announce his squad at the weekend for the final friendly before the domestic season ends and the focus switches to South Africa.
FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke the facilities at Royal Bakofeng Sports Campus will be ready on time.
"I was invited by the King of Bafokeng to see this centre because they are looking for FIFA support in the future, after the World Cup, about potential use of international teams who want to train out of their continent," said Valcke.
"The rooms are there - there is a welcome desk where you can pay, a breakfast area where you can eat. There was a television and internet in the room.
No worries: Under 21 boss Stuart Pearce says John terry and Wayne Bridge will bury their differences
"Beside it there is the 3,000 square metres for the King"s Suite; this is under construction but this will not be used during the World Cup.
"At the time of the World Cup, the FA (Football Association) need the 68 rooms, the medical centre and pitches. There are two which are being worked on by an Irish company who are experts in grass.
"We have been told the medical centre will be built on time."
It is understood Algeria, one of England"s Group C opponents, are yet to decide where to stay.
Danny Jordaan, chief executive of the 2010 Organising Committee, insists the feedback from officials during the meetings in Sun City has been positive.
"We"ve met with the teams and coaches and overall they are very happy," he said.
More...England"s unfinished South Africa HQ will be ready in time, insist FIFA executives after visitJohn Terry and Wayne Bridge will bury differences for England"s sake, insists Stuart Pearce Far from Fab! Capello arrives in South Africa to see England"s unfinished HQ
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