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Gallery: Security a part of World Cup festivities

Fingerprint scanners added a huge sense of security to more than 1,200 Australian Socceroo fans at this year's World Cup.
By Andy Smith, Contributor
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Fingerprint scanning gates are being used by tour group the Fanatics to control entry and exit to the Durban Cricket Ground, which has been converted into a "tent city" for around 1200 Socceroos fans during the World Cup in South Africa.

Six fingerprint scanners such as this one were rented by the Fanatics tour group to control access to the camp.

Photos and captions: Munir Kotadia, ZDNet Australia

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Fans said the biometric scanners made them feel safer and found it more convenient because they didn't have a room key to lose.

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In order to house around 1200 fans, the Fanatics have taken over Durban Cricket ground for the duration of the 2010 World Cup.

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One of the biometric fingerprint scanners in use.

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Fans kept themselves entertained between matches by playing the FIFA 2010 World Cup game on the Xbox 360.

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Foosball fans are in a blur. Whether it was on a screen, in a stadium or in the bar — soccer was everywhere!

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Literally hundreds of Fanatics bean bags littered the bar to keep supporters in comfort.

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What is usually the media room has been converted into an internet cafe to help fans keep in touch back home.

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All the streets in tent city are named after former and current Socceroos, including Mark Viduka, Johnny Warren, Ned Zelic and Robbie Slater to name a few.

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The main bar at tent city is named after former Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Bosnich.

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To help Sydneysiders feel at home, the transport meeting point is named after Sydney's most famous meeting place — Town Hall Steps.

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In keeping with Australia's tradition of "big" landmarks, tent city included a gigantic Fanatics jersey (just in case you forgot where you were!)

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Even the breakfast room is decorated with football memorabilia including country flags, balls and pieces of turf.

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The biggest issues with the biometric readers were caused by alcohol — and there was no shortage of beer.

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Phil VB, Fanatics site manager.

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