Valcke postpones trip to Brazil after row

By Duncan Mackay

March 10 – FIFA general secretary Jérôme Valcke (pictured) has postponed his trip to Brazil next week following the criticism he received from the Government there after he criticised the preprations for the 2014 World Cup, claiming that they needed a “kick up the backside”.

Instead, FIFA President Sepp Blatter will travel to Brazil first to meet with the country’s President Dilma Rousseff in what looks like a diplomatic mission to smooth things over.

Blatter “has personally written to the President of Brazil Dilma Rousseff in order to schedule a date for an agreed meeting,” FIFA said in a statement.

FIFA claimed that Valcke will resume his scheduled tour of 2014 host cities after the Presidents meet, which could happen next week.

Valcke planned to join former Brazil playing greats Ronaldo and Bebeto in Recife, Brasilia and Cuiaba on the second of six tours this year.

He angered Brazil last week, saying: “You have to push yourself, kick your [backside],”when asked in England about problems planning the 32-nation, monthlong World Cup tournament which will attract hundreds of thousands of fans from across the world.

Valcke is also responsible for overseeing the 2013 Confederations Cup, an eight-nation event designed to test Brazil’s infrastructure.

It kicks off in June next year, although it is still unclear if Recife and Salvador will be ready to host matches.

Brazil Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo described Valcke’s comments as “unacceptable, offensive and inappropriate.”

He demanded Valcke’s removal from the project, before accepting written apologies from the French official and Blatter.

“The incident is now closed,” said Rebelo.

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