FIFA head: World Cup in Brazil could be mistake
Updated: 2013-07-18 14:03
(Xinhua)
|
|||||||||||
Protesters wearing Guy Fawkes masks participate in the "National Day of Strikes, Stoppages and Protests" in downtown of Rio de Janeiro July 11, 2013. According to union groups participating in the protests, labor leaders are demanding Rousseff for a shorter work day, an increase in pension payouts, lower public transport prices, more investment in education and healthcare, among other demands in favor of the working class. [Photo/Agencies] |
Rio de Janeiro - FIFA President Sepp Blatter said Wednesday it may have been a mistake to choose Brazil to host next year's World Cup.
His comments follow nationwide unrest during last month's Confederations Cup in which hundreds of thousands of Brazilians expressed anger that public money was being spent on stadiums instead of vital services like health, transport and education.
Blatter said he planned to raise his concerns with Brazil president Dilma Rousseff in September.
"If this happens again, we have to question whether we made the wrong decision awarding the hosting rights," Blatter told German press agency DPA.
"The government is now aware that next year the World Cup shouldn't be disturbed. To me, these protests were like alarm bells for the government, the senate, the parliament.
"They should work on it so that this is not going to happen again. Though protests, if peaceful, are part of democracy and therefore have to be accepted, we are convinced the government, and especially the president, will find the words and the actions to prevent a repeat. They have a year to do so."
Meanwhile Blatter revealed he would ask the governing body's executive committee to move the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to winter.
The request comes amid concerns for the safety of players and fans in summer temperatures that can reach 50 degrees Celsius.
The move is expected to draw opposition from European leagues, which would require a major fixture overhaul to accommodate a winter tournament.
Related Stories
Host has World Cup headache 2013-06-14 07:42
FIFA: Sao Paulo could lose World Cup matches 2013-05-15 11:35
Brazil Protests intensify before Confed Cup semifinal 2013-06-27 10:20
FIFA asks Brazil for security guarantees 2013-06-22 10:47
Today's Top News
Bacteria may extend longevity, study finds
GSK finance head not allowed to leave
Putin puts US relations above Snowden
DPRK demands release of free seized ship
Bomber as rock star? Rolling Stone cover outrage
7.75% growth possible in 2013
China, Belarus commit to plans
More use smartphones to access the Internet
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
Bar street heaven for expats, hell for locals |
Chinese Haute Couture |
Railway cities staying on track |
More concerns over camps |
Challenging times on 'high-speed Silk Road' |
Coming to a screen near you |