/ 28 March 2011

Blatter tells Brazil to speed up 2014 preparations

Blatter Tells Brazil To Speed Up 2014 Preparations

Fifa president Sepp Blatter said on Monday that Brazil needed to speed up its preparations to host the 2014 World Cup.

“I would like to tell my Brazilian colleagues about the 2014 World Cup, it’s tomorrow, the Brazilians think its just the day after tomorrow,” he told reporters.

“We are hoping for a little good faith, things are not advancing very quickly.

“If we compare [2010 hosts] South Africa and Brazil three years before the World Cup, then Brazil has not got as far as South Africa in its preparations.

“If Brazil keeps going like these there will not be matches in Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paulo at the Confederations Cup [in 2013].”

Blatter, who reiterated his belief that goalline technology could be used in 2014, also said he would make an important announcement about the fight against corruption at the Fifa Congress in June, where he stands for re-election.

“I will present something very special there but I will not now disclose the contents — it is to fight corruption, all cheating and discrimination,” he said. — Reuters