World Cup 2014 Bill will be signed next week, insists FIFA's Valcke

By Andrew Warshaw

February 25 – The so called 2014 Bill that has caused so much tension between Brazil’s World Cup organisers and FIFA should finally be signed by next Tuesday (February 28), according FIFA general secretary Jérôme Valcke.

Last week, a Brazilian Congressional Commission delayed a vote on the bill which has been a major sticking point in preparations for the tournament, covering alcohol sales, discounted tickets to students and pensioners and advertising rules.

There are widespread concerns in the country that FIFA’s requirements should simply not be allowed to take priority over national laws.

The availability of alcohol within the 12 venues is a particular area of dispute, with Valcke insisting this is non-negotiable even though it is at odds with Brazilian legislation, which has banned the sale of alcohol at football grounds since 2003.

But writing on FIFA.com, Valcke said the new law would finally give FIFA the guarantees it asks of every World Cup host.

“By next Tuesday, we are hoping that the ‘2014 Bill’ will finally be voted in by the House of Representatives for the Special Commission for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, with the text reflecting the agreed discussions with the Government,” he wrote.

“Thereafter, it will be presented in the Senate.

“We are hoping for an expedited process in this matter, in order for all the involved parties to get on with the job after years and months of talking and discussing the same matter.

“The finalisation of this will enable all parties, both at FIFA and in Brazil, to finally focus on the many operational and organisational duties that lie ahead…starting with the general infrastructure upgrades to the stadiums for the FIFA Confederations Cup.”

Describing the bill as “crucial”, Valcke continued: “It is the foundation for many key decisions to be implemented by the host cities, which had been put on hold until President Dilma Rousseff (pictured right with FIFA President Sepp Blatter) signs this ‘Lei Geral da Copa’, as it is called.”

But he nevertheless added a note of caution, with the Confederations Cup, the traditional World Cup preparation event, just 18 months away.

“Please allow me, though I may sound repetitive, to stress how much work there is still ahead of us – and here I mean for the authorities, the host cities and states, and FIFA/LOC (Local Organising Committee),” Valcke warned.

“Some might think of the FIFA Confederations Cup with only eight teams and 16 matches as a curtain raiser, but for us and the host country, it is a substantial operational test.

“Brazil will be in the spotlight as the world will be benchmarking them for their readiness to host the FIFA World Cup a year later.”

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