“I believe that Brazilians will not attack football directly. This is the sport’s home, it’s a religion,” says Sepp Blatter. PHOTO: AFP
“Brazil has come to realise that they started too late,” Blatter told Swiss newspaper 24 Hours.
“They are the country who are the most delayed [in terms of World Cup organisation] since I have been at Fifa. Yet they are the only country who have had such a long time – seven years – to prepare.”
The World Cup will be staged from June 12 - July 13, but the build-up has been plagued by construction delays, spiralling costs as well as civil discontent at the money being spent on the tournament.
Last year’s Confederations Cup was plagued by angry demonstrations, but Blatter believes this year should pass off relatively peacefully.
“Football will be protected. I believe that Brazilians will not attack football directly. This is the sport’s home, it’s a religion.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 7th, 2014.
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