Teixeira initially did not invite Pele to Saturday’s World Cup qualifying draw leading to Brazil President Dilma Rousseff intervening and appointing him as the country’s international World Cup ambassador. “Everybody has enemies, even those you don’t know,” Pele told reporters at the London launch of an opus for former club New York Cosmos. “The most important thing is that we have an excellent World Cup in Brazil. This in no way affects the football; we are just going to work hard. (Teixeira) has some small problems with journalists, but so does Mr Blatter and FIFA is still here. I want to make it clear; I haven’t had an argument with Teixeira. I respect him.”
Earlier this year Pele hit out at Brazil’s preparations for World Cup 2014, claiming delays in stadium construction and improving the country’s transport system were an “embarrassment”. However, the 70-year-old sounded more confident on Tuesday.
“We had been a little worried because we worked hard for two years to get the vote for the World Cup then we had political problems, especially in Sao Paulo,” he said. “Until now Sao Paulo had been a problem, whether we would have a game there – the final. We were worried about it because Sao Paulo is Brazil’s football capital. But last week the president called me and we are working to get everything together.”
Source: www.sportbusiness.com 03/08/2011
