By David Gold
March 27 – Brazil’s Sports Minister Orlando Silva responded to FIFA President Sepp Blatter’s criticism of the country’s preparations for the 2014 World Cup by reassuring him that they were making good progress and that he was confident everything would be ready in time for the showpiece tournament.
Blatter said: “I would like to tell my Brazilian colleagues about the 2014 World Cup, it’s tomorrow, the Brazilians think it’s just the day after tomorrow.”
Silva responded by promising to “invite the President of FIFA to come to Brazil to learn the details of the country’s preparations.”
“I’m convinced he’ll be reassured that Brazil will stage a very good World Cup.”
Speaking in Sao Paolo, Silva admitted that it was understandable that attention was being focused on the failure to get work started on the Itaquera stadium which many hope will host the opening game of the World Cup.
“Sao Paulo deserves attention because it’s the city which many want to hold the inauguration [of the tournament],” he said.
“We have 10 of the 12 stadiums with work going full steam ahead, we’re confident the majority of the stadiums will be handed to FIFA within the deadline agreed with them.
“The lack of a decision here in Sao Paulo created some insecurity at FIFA but the commitment of the prefect and the Governor of Corinthians and some big Brazilian firms reassures us that we’ll have good solutions.”
Blatter had warned that at the current rate the 2013 Confederations Cup would not be able to stage games in either Sao Paolo or Rio de Janeiro, home of the world famous Maracana, the probable venue for the final in 2014.
“If Brazil keeps going like this there will not be matches in Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paulo at the Confederations Cup,” he said.
As well as completing work on the new stadiums, Brazil has much left to do to improve its general infrastructure such as transport and hotel accomodation, particularly with the 2016 Olympic Games being held in Rio de Janeiro.
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