Fifa issues warning over SA vote

Irvin Khoza (left) and Danny Jordaan are vying for the presidency of Safa

Fifa has warned that elections for South Africa's Football Association (Safa) must not be allowed to disrupt preparations for the World Cup.

The two most senior members of the World Cup 2010 Local Organising Committee (LOC) are locked in a tussle to take over as Safa president.

The Chairman of the LOC, Irvin Khoza, is up against its CEO, Danny Jordaan.

Whoever wins will have to delay taking up the role or relinquish his responsibilities for the World Cup.

Fifa's General Secretary, Jerome Valcke, said the Safa president could not serve in an executive position on the LOC.

"We will be there, we will monitor very carefully these elections," he said.

Molefi Olifant, the current Safa President, is stepping down.

Preparations for the World Cup were on the agenda at an LOC Board meeting on Tuesday.

Danny Jordaan said stadiums were "85 to 95 percent" completed and would meet their October deadline.

Thousands of people have volunteered to help at the tournament, from 170 countries.

"That gives us the feeling that the world is beginning to feel the excitement, the momentum of the World Cup," Jordaan said.