By Andrew Warshaw
October 25 – FIFA secretary general Jérôme Valcke has returned home to Switzerland having been hospitalised in Brazil for four days with a kidney infection.
The 52-year-old Frenchman, FIFA’s main 2014 World Cup trouble-shooter, had been in Brazil on his latest inspection visit ahead of next year’s Confederations Cup, the World Cup’s traditional dress rehearsal.
Valcke (pictured top, left) had planned to give a press conference and meet with members of Brazil 2014 in Rio today but will be replaced by FIFA marketing boss Thierry Weil.
Last March, Valcke fell out with local World Cup organisers after using some colourful language about the seriousness of tardy preparations.
Clearly he is still concerned by the issue, with FIFA due to make a final decision next November on Confederation Cup venues.
Before he flew home, Valcke again warned of major delays in preparing six Brazilian stadiums for the warm-up event.
“Few stadiums will be delivered on time,” he said.
“Things need to be speeded up for the Confederations Cup.”
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