World Cup a great success, says Blatter

FIFA President Joseph Blatter said Wednesday (Jul 2) during a seminar in Rio de Janeiro on sports management that the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil is “unquestionably a great success. I can only thank the Brazilian people for having accepted to host the tournament.” The seminar discussed topics like the impacts of the World Cup on Brazilian football, the country’s preparations for the Olympics, the link between sports and education, and the effects of globalization on the sport.

As regards the protests against the sporting event, Blatter questioned, “Where is the social anger? Of course, we still have eight games ahead of us. But the international media are already saying that nothing went wrong. Everything’s fine. I won’t say perfect, because nothing is perfect, but the stadiums are magnificent. What has been built is wonderful. I couldn’t be happier at the moment,” said the president of the association.

Blatter celebrated the introduction of football in countries with no traditional in the sport, like India and China, which will have their own professional leagues this year. He went on to say that he is to meet shortly with referees and technicians to discuss technological improvements for the sport after the tournament.

Another reason for celebration for the head of FIFA was how competitively matches have been played, as many games were forced into extra-time: “There are no ruling nations in football any more. That’s history. All are at the same level, because the level has risen. Football has grown,” Blatter said.

From outside the event, in downtown Rio de Janeiro, an act was stages as demonstrators held up posters against FIFA and questioned the their profits, the amount of public spending invested in the tournament, and human rights violations in impoverished communities, which, they argue, are connected with Brazil’s hosting the World Cup.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira

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