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Blatter concerned with World Cup preparations

Comment: 0 September 28th, 2011 by: admin

Fifa head Sepp Blatter has expressed serious concerns regarding the planning and execution that Brazil has made in preparation for the 2014 World Cup.

According to reports, the global football governing body has become increasingly uneasy over a number of disagreements with the host country on various crucial matters concerning the event.

The growing tension has been evident from the side of the Brazilian government, with the nation’s president Dilma Rousseff reportedly demanding for ‘a frank conversation’ with Blatter.

One of the most publicised arguments was over the delayed construction of a new stadium in Sao Paulo.  Reports indicated that the planned structure will not be ready in time for the 2013 Confederations Cup, a precursor to the 2014 World Cup.

According to Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke, Brazil’s existing stadiums are in need of extensive renovation, as their worn state is of great concern.

‘It is amazing that Brazil is already very late,’ he had told reporters last year. During the time, a report on the status of Brazil’s progress was said to have been not at all encouraging.

Further adjustments to the plans, however, had to be made as Blatter announced his desire for the kickoff of the World Cup to be moved from the original venue in Sao Paulo to the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

‘Brazilian football is Rio. And for the world, Rio is the most attractive city to open the World Cup without any doubt at all,’ Blatter had said in an interview.  ‘Given that the press centre and the Fifa organisation will be based in Rio, it seems that this town is the most suitable for staging the opening match.’

Earlier this month the Fifa head had threatened to reassign the hosting duties to another country, as a result of the organisation’s lack of trust in Brazil’s capacity to finish the stadiums on time.

Along with the infrastructure issues, the tension between the two governing bodies has reportedly worsened due to other matters including the ticket prices.

The Brazilian government plans to extend to the World Cup a national policy that offers students and elderly citizens a 50% discount on entertainment – including football matches.

Fifa is expected to oppose these plans, along with Brazil’s bid to allow non-right holding local stations limited television broadcast of the matches.

Brazil currently holds five World Cup trophies – the most of any nation.  The 2014 World Cup will be the nation’s first tournament hosting since 1950.

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