Valcke is set to visit Brazil later this month and issued a stark warning to World Cup organisers on Friday, stating that “not a lot is moving” and adding that organisers needed a “kick up the backside”. Valcke’s comments came after FIFA and 2014 World Cup organisers last week suffered another blow in their efforts to secure the all-important law governing the tournament after voting on the bill was delayed once again. The law has suffered repeated delays, frustrating world football’s governing body, and a Brazilian congressional commission has now stated it won’t be voted on until Tuesday. The commission had partially approved the proposed law, but some key points – including the sale of alcohol inside stadiums – were set to be voted on separately. However, congressmen postponed the vote as they were called up to handle other congressional matters.
Responding to Valcke’s comments, Brazil’s Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo defended the country’s preparations for the tournament and said the government would not accept the criticism from the FIFA administrator. “We have always had a cordial attitude toward everyone from FIFA here in Brazil,” Rebelo said, according to the Associated Press. “We can’t accept to hear such an offensive comment. He (Valcke) can’t say something like that about a country. It’s unacceptable.” Rebelo clarified that he understood Valcke would retain his key position in World Cup preparations for FIFA, but added he would not be welcomed by the government. He said: “We will continue to have a relationship with FIFA and we will continue receiving them well. We are just expressing the position of the Brazilian government (in relation to Valcke). His comments interfere in the relationship of understanding that we have always had between Brazil and FIFA.”
On Saturday, Valcke accused Rebelo of making excuses and ignoring problems. Valcke said: “Why doesn’t he deal with the issue? If (I’m) the problem because nothing has happened over the five years … because I made, wow, one comment saying things are not working well and I for once said exactly what is happening in Brazil – if the result is they don’t want to talk to me anymore, I’m not the guy they want to work with, that’s a bit puerile.” Amid the dispute, Brazilian Football Federation and local organising committee president Ricardo Teixeira has attempted to diffuse the tension by maintaining that Brazil is still on course to host a successful World Cup. He said in a statement: “FIFA’s concerns regarding the preparations of any World Cup are legitimate and natural. But the entity can rest assured that Brazil and its people have the competence and the dignity to organise an impeccable and unforgettable World Cup.”
Source: sportbusiness.com
