FIFA Secretary general Jerome Valcke has moved to calm the tensions following recent protests and clashes in the city of Rio de Janeiro as the World Cup draws exceedingly close.
Angry exchanges between police and residents near to the famous tourist trap of Copacabana have raised concerns about safety ahead of the tournament; a local dancer was thought to have been killed by police, hence the public outcry.
Valcke told reporters: “It is a tragic episode which causes sadness but it is not sufficient to say that the World Cup is at risk.”
“I have recieved several messages asking if there is a civil war in Brazil and I have replied ‘no’.”
Touring the country for stadia checks before the event gets underway on June 12, Valcke clearly doesn’t believe that these intermittent resident clashes are of concern to the World Cup’s smoothness of operation.
