Scoring On and Off the Field at South Africa 2010

In another slow day for football headlines, bad news has filtered out of South Africa for the 2010 World Cup. Plans to legalise prostitution during the time of the international tournament has been met with protests.

Personally, as an England Member, I harbour ambitious hopes of making it to South Africa for the World Cup in 2010, and whilst I have little intention of taking in some of the more "rural sights" of the streets of South Africa, I would support the movement to temporarily legalise prostitution during the tournament.

Promoters of the legislation change point to the increased revenue in "adult entertainment" during Germany 2006. A country like South Africa could benefit incredibly from regulating the industry, as a large number of football fans will be expected to partake in the occasional illicit activity. Also, by allowing the trade to exist legally, it would reduce the probability of trouble during the tournament, with fans being able to 'blow their load' rather than becoming aggressive. Take the Dutch for example, the most liberal country in the world, not known for their aggression.

Finally, and perhaps most poigniant, South Africa is a country with a severe Aids problem. By regulating the sex trade, efforts can be made to reduce the spread of HIV during the tournament, as we know legalised or not, there will be hundreds of fans that take an interest in the professional girl.