VALCKE APOLOGEISES TO BRAZIL

FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke has come out with an apology after making controversial comments about the preparations Brazil have been making for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Brazil have been unanimously chosen as the destination for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. This is the second time in a row a non-European nation has been selected for hosting the most prestigious tournament in the world.

As a result, FIFA are under pressure in order to deliver the best tournament possible. They were earlier hampered by the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, which concerned them heavily due to the lack of preparation up until the last moment.

This is the same case with Brazil as well, as no major step has been taken towards the development of public infrastructure. Even though stadiums are extremely crucial for a good World Cup, FIFA recognises the importance of having the best infrastructure for public to move around.

The transport infrastructure in Germany was one of the reasons for the 2006 FIFA World Cup to be held as the model for future World Cups. Brazil, though, said that they have been pumping billions into the development of public infrastructure and that they would not welcome Jerome Valcke into their country any more following his questionable comments.

“There is certainly an air of concern at FIFA and as the person who is ultimately responsible for delivering the World Cup I am under quite some pressure. The World Cup is the key to our entire system,” FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke thus offered his apology after drawing out intense criticism from Brazil and the other South American countries.

Brazil are yet to respond to the apology. Brazilian football Federation President Ricardo Teixeira severely condemned the comments made by Jerome Valcke earlier in the week.

BRAZIL 2014 COULD BE HIT BY STRIKES

The preparations for the 2014 FIFA World Cup to be held in Brazil could be hit by a strike by the employers. It has been revealed today that employers want unified salaries and better benefits as a whole.

Brazil have been chosen as the unanimous candidate for hosting the 2014 World Cup after it was announced by FIFA that South America has been chosen as the candidate for hosting the next World Cup. Until now, there have been only a few number of isolated strikes across the country, but now the problem has escalated into a major one.

The workers union are prepared to go on strike in order to get the benefits. The Brazilian government has been criticised for the slow progress of work. There have been rumours that Brazil will not be ready in the best possible way to host the 2014 FIFA World Cup, although the Brazilian government denies this. Only recently did the government sanction up to US$ 15 million for the revival of three major airports within the country. However, it has been reported by FIFA that up to 7 more airports may need renovation in order to comply with the standards required for the international tourists who will be arriving in the country for this massive tournament.

“We have workers doing almost exactly the same kind of work but they are not earning the same salary or being entitled to the same benefits at the different venues. This doesn’t make sense. If they are doing the same work, they should be getting paid the same salary, regardless of which region they are working in,” a worker’s union leader said. Inequality between the rich and the poor is very high in Brazil, and the workers see the 2014 FIFA World Cup as an opportunity to bring it down.