Fifa concerned but confident on prospects for World Cup despite violence in Brazil
Fifa marketing director Thierry Weil worried over recent riots following police actions in Brazilian slums but positive over country's ability to stage 'the biggest party on Earth'
Fifa is concerned about recent violence in Brazil less than two months before it hosts the World Cup but remains confident the country will stage “the biggest party on Earth,” Fifa Marketing Director Thierry Weil said on Thursday.
The latest outburst began on Tuesday when residents of a Rio de Janeiro slum rioted following the killing of a popular local figure, a death they blamed on police.
Angry residents set fires and showered homemade explosives and bottles onto a busy avenue in Rio’s main tourist zone.
Weil told reporters in Rio that while the images being broadcast around the world of the riots were not pretty, “we strongly believe in the country, in the cities, in the government and their advance of security.
“From our commercial partners, which will bring a lot of guests to Brazil, for sure there are lots of discussions on the riots, whether it will happen again like it did in the Confederations Cup, so there are lots of questions,” he said. “But I can guarantee that no one has retracted from bringing guests because everybody strongly believes that this will be the biggest party on Earth.”
Police in Brazil began an ambitious programme in 2008 to drive gangs from Rio’s slums as part of security push ahead of the World Cup that kicks off in June.