The South African city of Durban will not be hosting the 2022 Commonwealth Games after being stripped of the honour by the world governing body.
Although the city was awarded the hosting rights in 2015 amid no competition, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has decided that it did not meet the criteria it had set.
Last month, South African sports minister Fikile Mbalula conceded that the event may be too expensive to host.
Now British city Liverpool may be asked to take over the hosting duties.
This is despite the fact that the only new facilities that were planned for the Games would have been temporary structures designed by local architect Ruben Reddy.
“In line with the mandate from members at the 2016 General Assembly, the CGF is actively exploring alternative options, including a potential replacement host,” said CGF president Louise Martin.
“The CGF will continue to have an open dialogue with the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee and the Republic of South Africa and remains committed to realising the shared ambitions of a future Commonwealth Games in Africa.”
The CFG also made a separate statement, saying: “The Commonwealth Games Federation has completed its review of the final information submitted by South Africa on 30th November, 2016 to determine whether their proposals for hosting the 2022 Commonwealth Games are consistent with their original bid commitments and the host city contract."
“It is with disappointment that the detailed review has concluded that there is a significant departure from the undertakings provided in Durban’s bid and as a result a number of key obligations and commitments in areas such as governance, venues, funding and risk management/assurance have not been met under the revised proposition.”
Liverpool may step into the breach. The city had originally planned to bid for the 2026 Games, but mayor Joe Anderson has opened discussions with sports minister Tracey Crouch about hosting four years earlier should Durban not fulfil its requirements.
Durban was set to be the first African city to host the Games.
