FIFA warns Brazil on Sao Paulo crime and insufficient infrastructure for 2014 Cup

Tuesday, November 27th 2012 - 22:25 UTC

Full article 5 comments

However Valcke admits that “we have now moved from talking about the problems to talking about the solutions”

FIFA general secretary, Jerome Valcke has warned Brazil of the increasing crime rate in cities like Sao Paulo and also stressed on the need of more infrastructure ahead of the 2014 football World Cup.

Valcke, overseeing progress on delivering the World Cup in Brazil, has highlighted a lack of hotels for the estimated 500.000 overseas visitors, but he also said that FIFA and the Brazilian football authorities now had a much better relationship.

Valcke had angered Brazilian officials in the past by suggesting that the stadiums would not be ready, but now he believes the risk of delay has moved on to such matters as the necessary number of hotels and vital improvements to airports and public transport.

“We are seeing a big wave of crime in Sao Paulo, which is not good for its image or tourism” Valcke insisted.

“In one unnamed city there are 17,000 hotel bedrooms and a 45,000 capacity stadium [for the World Cup],” he added.

“But we have now moved from talking about the problems to talking about the solutions. We are able to find and answer the problems,” he said.

Brazil is spending 15 billion dollars on infrastructure for the World Cup, which includes everything from the 12 new or renovated stadiums, to new bus lanes and airport extensions.

However rampant crime in Brazil’s largest city, Sao Paulo remains a challenge particularly with the wave of homicides which have cost the lives of almost a hundred members of the police in their fight against organized crime and drug dealers.

The situation has seen the city’s security chief sacked and all main chiefs of police removed with the promise of a more efficient and coordinated effort between the city and the federal government. The fact that the ruling Workers party gained control of the city in the last municipal elections should make support more fluid.

Categories: Politics, Brazil, Entertainment.

Tags: 2014 FIFA World Cup, Brazil, FIFA, Jerome Valcke, Sao Pablo.

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Burn1938
It is now becoming a worry . Work has still not started on improving mayor airports , Sao Paulo in particular is awful , nor on hotels or other infrastructure . Do the Brazilians know , or understand , what it means to host the World Cup or Olympics ? It is not a Carnival .
Nov 27th, 2012 - 10:56 pm 0
Idlehands
In relation to crime I wouldn't be surprised if it dropped for the competition. It did in South Africa - I assume because the crooks got drawn into the celebration as much as everyone else did. However it won't be good if stadiums are unfinished prior to kick off - but there's always these worries for big events and it never seems to happen - other than maybe the Commonwealth Games in India.
Nov 28th, 2012 - 07:50 am 0
Pirate Love
i really hope they get their act together in time, the brazilian world cup has the potential to be one of the most enjoyable to watch , but it looks as if brazil are trying to host the games on the cheap to maximize income, which would be a massive shame,its not just about the football its exercising hospitality, ensuiring a safe free to roam enviroment, promoting your culture and showing the world your capabilities leaving a lasting legacy, and that starts at the airport and ends at the airport when the tourists leave.

come on england!
Nov 28th, 2012 - 01:17 pm 0

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