Blatter: FIFA never considered halting the competition.
"FIFA never had any doubts regarding this tournament (Confederations Cup) that it could be suspended or that we had even considered a plan B. Because it's a matter of trust in the government, but also in the Brazilian population, which loves football. I am sure that the next World Cup will be a success. I especially believe in the organization of security," said FIFA President Joseph Blatter.
Vladimir Platonow
Reporter from Agência Brasil
Rio de Janeiro – The president of the International Federation of Football (FIFA), Joseph Blatter, said today (28) that the organization never considered suspending the Confederations Cup, even during the intensification of demonstrations and violent actions by groups of vandals. Blatter participated in a press conference alongside the Minister of Sport, Aldo Rebelo. The two gave an overview of the competition so far.
"FIFA never had any doubts regarding this tournament, that it could be suspended or that we had even considered a plan B. Because it's a matter of trust in the government, but also in the Brazilian population, which loves football. I am certain that the next World Cup will be a success. I especially believe in the organization of security," said the FIFA president.
A protest organized through social media is scheduled for Sunday (30), the day of the Confederations Cup final. The march will leave from the north of the city towards the Estádio Jornalista Mario Filho, the Maracanã, where the teams of Brazil and Spain will decide the title of the tournament. The game is scheduled to start at 19 pm.
The Minister of Sport stressed his belief that the demonstrations could be peaceful. "We all hope that the demonstrations will be peaceful, although this is not always the case. I don't believe that the demonstrations aim to prevent or disrupt the games. Sometimes they are scheduled on a game day to give more prominence and visibility to the demands, but not with the aim of preventing the events from taking place," said Rebelo.
Also participating in the press conference were the president of the Confederations Cup Organizing Committee, Jaques Anouma, the president of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) and the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), José Maria Marin, the FIFA Secretary General, Jérôme Valcke, and the chief executive of the Local Organizing Committee, Ricardo Trade. Another press conference was scheduled for next Monday (1st), at the Copacabana Palace Hotel, when a final evaluation of the competition will be made.
Editing: Aécio Amado