Ronaldo quashes 2014 World Cup Presidency rumours

By Andrew Warshaw

November 28 – Former Brazilian international Ronaldo has denied reports that he has been asked to replace controversial FIFA powerbroker Ricardo Teixeira as head of the country’s 2014 World Cup Organising Committee.

A Brazilian newspaper reported last week that Teixeira, President of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) but under investigation for alleged money laundering, could give way to Ronaldo, all-time top scorer in the World Cup finals,

“I don’t know anything about that, there hasn’t been anything,” Ronaldo responded.

“I’m surprised by all this speculation.”

Teixeira is one of four key members of FIFA’s Executive Committee linked to allegedly receiving kickbacks from ISL, the marketing agency that owned World Cup television rights until its 2001 bankruptcy with debts of around $300 million (£193 million/€224 million).

FIFA President Sepp Blatter has pledged to release documents relating to the collapse as part of his two-year road map to reform.

When announcing the move, Blatter (pictured right) indicated that more high-profile members of his inner circle could be forced to stand down, possibly a reference to Teixeira (left).

If Teixeira is ultimately found guilty if and when FIFA publishes Swiss court papers identifying the senior officials who allegedly took payments, his 22-year reign at the head of Brazilian football would almost certainly come to an end.

Teixeira has denied any wrongdoing but has been the subject of two separate investigations in Brazil, while FIFA itself has reportedly asked the country’s President Dilma Rousseff – no great fan of Teixeira – to replace him at the head of the 2014 organising team.

Contact the writer of this story at zib.l1741581941labto1741581941ofdlr1741581941owedi1741581941sni@w1741581941ahsra1741581941w.wer1741581941dna1741581941