The firm employing the stewards, Stallion Security, told AFP news agency that workers had been "misled" by jealous commercial rivals who failed to get the World Cup tender. Protesting stewards in Durban told reporters they had received 190 rand ($25) for their work but had been promised much more.
The news followed an announcement yesterday that World Cup organisers set up a meeting with its contracted security company and stadium stewards after around 400 stewards protested following Germany’s victory over Australia on Sunday at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium. The stewards in question were dispersed by rubber bullets and stun grenades fired by the police.
Organising committee spokesman Rich Mkhondo said the meeting was scheduled “to make sure things are ironed out and that we will not see a repeat of what happened.”
Police and World Cup officials said they expected today's games to go ahead as planned, with security being handled by police and some non-striking stewards.
