FIFA president Sepp Blatter has stated secretary general Jerome Valcke will retain his key role in Brazil’s preparations for the 2014 World Cup.
Blatter on Monday said Valcke would continue all of his FIFA duties, including working with the Brazilian government to organise the tournament. Valcke’s strong comments about the country’s preparations had seen the government threaten to cut its ties with him, but Blatter’s visit to Brazil on Friday appears to have cleared the air between the warring parties.
Blatter maintained his “full confidence and trust” in Brazil’s preparations after staging the meeting with President Dilma Rousseff. He had stated that he needed further time to evaluate Valcke’s position, but has now stated: “There is no problem between the FIFA president and the FIFA secretary general.” Blatter added to the Associated Press. “Jerome Valcke is in charge of all of his activities as secretary general, including the preparations for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.”
The latest news comes after Brazil’s preparations were again strongly criticised by footballer-turned-politician Romario on Sunday. The legendary Brazil forward, now a Congressman, took to his Facebook page to dispute claims that Brazil will stage the greatest World Cup in history. “It was a shame to read the newspapers and see that the federal government has united with FIFA to make the greatest World Cup of all time,” said Romario. “It’s a troublesome lie. It won’t be the greatest and we will be embarrassed. The federal government is deceiving the people. President Dilma is being deceived or is letting people deceive her.”
Source: sportbusiness.com
