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FIFA to make regular checks on Brazil preps

Comment: 0 December 20th, 2011 by: admin

FIFA are planning to send its top executives to Brazil on a regular basis in order to both monitor and pressure the country’s preparations for the 2014 World Cup.

According to reports, the world footballing body will be sending its representatives to the host nation every two months to ensure that the schedules are followed and the progress is satisfactory.

This comes as the latest development in the tense, ongoing relations between FIFA and Brazil, after the former continuously and publicly criticised the organisers for lagging behind in preparations for the global event.

An extensive amount of work is yet to be completed, commented FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke, speaking of Brazil’s movement on the infrastructure needed to hold the event.

Despite the tension that currently exists between FIFA and Brazil regarding the issue, Valcke commented that the relationship has produced a newly-generated sense of cooperation.

‘2012 will be a fundamental year for FIFA and Brazil in the operational preparation for the two major football tournaments – the FIFA Confederations Cup 2013, and the 2014 FIFA World Cup,’ wrote Valcke on the FIFA website.

‘There still is a lot of work waiting for us in particular on general infrastructure such as airports and transport to make sure that all fans and visitors will have a memorable experience.’

It is due to this, Valcke said, that his on-site presence will be needed to ensure everything is up to expectations.

‘As the person at FIFA responsible for the delivery of the FIFA Confederations Cup and the FIFA World Cup, it is essential that I also get a personal view on the status of preparations during my planned host city visits to take place every two months next year.’

The secretary general continued, stressing that the amount of time left for preparations leaves no room for much else other than intense regulation and management.

‘Because we have no time to rest, the clock is ticking ever faster and the anticipation is rising for us all.’

Valcke pointed out that the conclusion of the Euro 2012 and the Olympic Games will put the World Cup, along with Brazil, in the public attention.  It is because of this, he explained, that open lines of communication will be needed throughout the entire time leading up to 2014.

‘The key for success will be in continuing our open and constant dialogue between the Brazilian authorities led by sports minister Aldo Rebelo as the man in charge of the FIFA World Cup in government and FIFA in the spirit of respect and cooperation which characterises our relations now.’

Previous exchanges between FIFA and Brazil regarding the World Cup have been dominated by the former’s statements of frustration over the country’s seeming lack of urgency.

Certain national laws, specifically on ticket sales and copyright concerns, have also come as a source of disagreement, with Brazil unwilling to alter the provisions to accommodate FIFA’s demands.

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