Blatter's meeting with Brazilian President heals Valcke comments rift

By Andrew Warshaw

March 16 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter (pictured left) emerged from his 2014 World Cup summit meeting with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff (right) today pledging to work more closely together to keep preparations for the tournament on track.

Blatter travelled to Brasilia in a bid to diffuse tensions with the host nation after the Government threatened to cut ties with the governing body of world football over FIFA general secretary Jérôme Valcke’s controversial “kick up the backside” comments that were prompted by lack of progress on essential legislation and work being carried out on redeveloping stadia and airports.

Congressmen are still wrangling over the text of the proposed World Cup law as far as the sale of beer in stadiums is concerned.

“The President said we should not have any doubts that the Brazilian Government will implement all the guarantees which were given to FIFA…and I trust in the words of the President,” said Blatter after the face-to-face meeting with Rousseff, also attended by Pelé (pictured below left with Blatter and Rousseff) and Sports Minister Aldo Robelo.

“The idea now is that FIFA and Brazil work more closely.”

Blatter denied reports that FIFA had put England on standby as a Plan B in case Brazil fails to deliver.

“This will be a very important event for Brazil,” he said.

“England is the country which invented football but Brazil is the land of football.”

As for Valcke’s comments, which provoked a furious reaction among Brazilian politicians and the general public, Blatter said this was “an internal matter” for FIFA.

“The issue between Brazil and Valcke belongs to FIFA and we’ll have to solve it,” Blatter said.

However, he refused to confirm that Valcke would now resume his duties as FIFA’s main World Cup coordinator.

“FIFA’s secretary general is a theme for FIFA,” Blatter said.

“Jérôme Valcke continues to work for FIFA.

“The problem between Jérôme Valcke and Brazil is a problem for FIFA’s President, which the President has to solve.”

Pelé, Brazil’s official 2014 ambassador, said the meeting was important to help clear the air between the host country and FIFA.

“It was needed to solve all the misunderstandings ahead of the World Cup,” he said.

“From now on we will move forward with harmony, without any mishaps, and I’m confident that we will host the best World Cup of all time.”

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