The marketing of stab-proof vests for visitors of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa was a "joke", South Africa's local organizing committee (LOC) said on Monday.

Spokesman Rich Mkhondo described the vests as an "abominable money making ploy using fear tactics".

"Sport fans visiting South Africa have never needed stab vests. The marketing of such vests is a joke," he said.

"They will not and will never need them during the World Cup."

A British company, Protektorvest, earlier said it would provide stab-proof vests to tourists who feared being mugged or stabbed while visiting the country for the World Cup in June and July.

The vests cost 510 rands (69 U.S. dollars) and could be delivered free of charge at any hotel in Johannesburg or Pretoria. The company said it could also customize the vests with team or national emblems.

Mkhondo said about 20,000 English cricket fans had just toured South Africa for longer than a month, attending the test series between England and South Africa.

"At no time was their security or safety questioned. Similarly when the British and Irish Lion fans visited South Africa last year once again no-one expressed fear for their safety."

Mkhondo said the South African LOC, the police and the military had put in place detailed security plans for the World Cup.

"We want to encourage fans traveling to South Africa to come here without any fear. They do not need any stab vests."