Romário defends Recife against FIFA.

Pernambuco 247 - Federal deputy and former Brazilian national football team player Romário (PSB) defended the mayor of Recife, Geraldo Julio (PSB), regarding the decision not to host the FIFA Fan Fest in the Pernambuco capital. "FIFA never tires of overstepping its bounds. Now the organization has threatened legal action against host cities that do not hold the Fan Fest," the congressman stated on his Twitter account and Facebook page. The event, budgeted at R$ 20 million, would have been funded with resources from the municipal treasury.

“The Recife City Hall has already informed us that it cannot spend an average of R$ 20 million on the FIFA event,” Romário stated. “Is it really necessary to spend more public money, in addition to what has already been used on all the exorbitant expenses of the World Cup?” he questioned. The former soccer player's criticism refers to the fact that FIFA threatened to resort to the courts to guarantee the holding of the FIFA Fan Fest.

This Friday (21), the marketing director of the highest entity, Thierry Well, stated that “if Recife, which I don’t believe, does not hold (the Fan Fest), there is a contract, and when there is a contract, we will have to contact the legal department”. The Fifa Fan Fest in Recife was suspended on the 14th by decision of Mayor Geraldo Julio who claimed that the money involved would be better used in works for the city. The mayor's attitude was applauded by the governor of Pernambuco and political godfather, Eduardo Campos (PSB).