FIFA - No plan B to Brazil
FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke says there are no alternative plans to move the 2014 World Cup away from Brazil.
The ongoing Confederations Cup in the south American country has been overshadowed by protests, which started over high transport costs, but the fact they will host the World Cup as well as the 2016 Olympics has also been highlighted.
Valcke, however, insisted: “The World Cup will be held in Brazil.
“The first game will happen in Sao Paulo, the final will be in Rio. There is no plan B.”
Valcke did admit the governing body had held talks over whether to cancel the Confederations Cup because of the unrest, but had endeavoured to continue.
“There was one evening on 20 June when we reached a peak in the country,” he added to BBC Sport.
“The demonstrations had moved from being non-violent protests to a minority of violent protesters who were making a lot of noise and problems.
“So the following day we had a crisis meeting, including the government, the local organising committee and FIFA just to make sure we were on the same page, in order to end the tournament in the best possible way.”
The hosts will play fellow south American side Uruguay on Wednesday in the semi-finals, with the winners facing Italy or Spain in the showpiece encounter on Sunday.
