Marin guarantees he will remain with the Local Organizing Committee until the World Cup.
"There is absolutely no possibility of that (allowing the Local Organizing Committee of the World Cup) to happen. I can tell you that there is no basis whatsoever for it. I say this sincerely, and I'm not even worried about it," said the president of the CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation), José Maria Marin, in an interview this Sunday, before the friendly match between Brazil and England at the Maracanã stadium.
By Rodrigo Viga Gaier
RIO DE JANEIRO, June 2 (Reuters) - The president of the CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation), José Maria Marin, ruled out this Sunday the possibility of leaving the leadership of the Local Organizing Committee for the 2014 World Cup (COL) to focus solely on leading the Brazilian Football Confederation until the World Cup.
Speculation about Marin's possible departure from the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) arose in April, following a series of accusations against the director. The accusations range from Marin's alleged involvement with the military regime during the dictatorship to videos released on the Internet in which he is accused of influence peddling in internal CBF elections.
According to sources who spoke to Reuters at the time, Marin was under pressure from FIFA and the federal government to leave the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) and avoid damage to the competition's image.
Marin assured Reuters, however, that he will remain in charge of the organization.
"There is absolutely no possibility of that (allowing the Local Organizing Committee) to happen. I can tell you that there is no basis whatsoever for it. I say this sincerely, and I'm not even worried about it," he said in an interview this Sunday, before the Brazil vs. England friendly at the Maracanã.
The game marks the official reopening of the stadium after renovations costing over 1 billion reais for the 2014 World Cup. However, construction is still underway in the surrounding area, and some interior parts still need finishing touches.
Marin stated that the Maracanã stadium will be tested in the game, as will the Brazilian national team itself.
"It will be a test for everyone, for the Brazilian national team, for the Maracanã... this part of the stadium is not the responsibility of the CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation), and I am confident that it will be in normal condition for the World Cup," the official assessed.
Marin reaffirmed his absolute confidence in coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, who has yet to achieve a major result since his return to the national team at the end of last year. According to him, Scolari will remain in his position until the World Cup, regardless of the team's results up to that point.
According to Marin, Brazil's priority is winning the Confederations Cup, which begins in June. Even if that doesn't happen, the coach remains in his position and is not at risk of losing his job, the official assured.
"The priority is the Confederations Cup and we are on the right track. If that doesn't happen, we will remain calm and Felipão (stays). The relationship is one of absolute trust in the coaching staff," he said.