Bullet-proof vests for Germans in World Cup

A German security firm responsible for protecting the country's football squad has asked the national team to wear bulletproof vests at next summer's World Cup in South Africa.

BaySecur, which watches over the country's football players in away games, also recommended players not stray too far from the team's hotel in Pretoria.

Germany's football players are expected to wear bulletproof vests, and be accompanied by armed bodyguards if they venture away from the hotel during their stay in South Africa.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee strongly criticized the private security company's suggestions.

“That security company is exaggerating and over-dramatizing issues to get the attention of the German football federation,” said the Organizing Committee's chief of communication Rich Mkhondo.

Mkhondo reassured the participants about the security situation of the 2010 World Cup and said there would be more than enough security personnel during the matches.

“We will show them the kind of security preparations we have — 41,000 security personnel. They will be police officers and will be deployed in and around the stadiums,” said Mkhondo.