Brazil’s relationship with FIFA took a turn for the worse on Saturday, with both sides escalating a war of words which could further complicate the country’s preparations for the 2014 World Cup.
Brazil’s sports minister criticised “unacceptable” comments by FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke about the slow preparations and said the government was cutting ties with him.
Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo said “the government can no longer have the secretary general as a representative” and called for FIFA to assign another official to work with the government.
Valcke responded by calling the move “puerile.”
Ahead of a visit to Brazil in about a week, Valcke sparked the exchange by sending a blunt message to organisers on Friday: “You have to push yourself, kick your (backside).”
Valcke said that “things are not working in Brazil” and that “not a lot is moving” with just two years left before the tournament and barely a year before the Confederations Cup.
Rebelo said the government would not accept the criticism from FIFA’s top administrator.
“We have always had a cordial attitude toward everyone from FIFA here in Brazil,” Rebelo said. “We can’t accept to hear such an offensive comment. He (Valcke) can’t say something like that about a country. It’s unacceptable.”
The president of the local organising committee, Ricardo Teixeira, who was also the president of the Brazilian Football Federation, issued a statement on Saturday telling FIFA not to worry because Brazil will be able to successfully organise the World Cup.
“FIFA’s concerns regarding the preparations of any World Cup are legitimate and natural,” he said. “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.”
Teixeira, who a few days ago reiterated he will remain head of Brazilian football despite rumours that he would resign amid accusations against him in Brazil and abroad, also said the Brazilian government has to be respected.
Valcke’s criticism also came ahead of next week’s visit of a team of nearly 40 people from FIFA and the local organising committee to inspect six of the 12 host cities. The other six will host the Confederations Cup in 2013 and were inspected last year.
One of the cities visited next week will be Porto Alegre, which is in danger of being dropped as a host because its Beira-Rio Stadium had renovation work halted more than eight months ago because of a lack of financial guarantees.