Brazil, FIFA seek better relations over World Cup

Brazil President Dilma Rousseff met FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke on Monday to seek improved relations over the organization of the 2014 World Cup.The two were able to meet face to face for a private meeting as Rousseff is in Belgium for Tuesdays summit with the European Union. It was the first meeting between the two and both sides said they needed to communicate better, said government spokeswoman Lais Garcia.The World Cup organizing country and FIFA often go through months of sparring to resolve potential conflicts of interest, ranging from sponsorship demands to taxes and other financial issues.We never compromise on the protection of our commercial partners, Valcke said.At the same time, Brazils legislators want to make sure that a World Cup bill currently going through congress does not compromise the rights of all Brazilians.The FIFA World Cup is a partnership and as such we do respect Brazilian law, while the host country respects the commitment made when it signed up to host the monthlong event, Valcke said.New laws could open up FIFA to losses in income and more liabilities while limiting the scope of sponsors to promote their brand at one of sports most sought-after events.However, one of the harshest critics of FIFAs plans in Brazil, Demostenes Torres of the opposition Democrats Party, has warned that the bill would make the government subservient to FIFA.Rousseff came in as president in January, four years after Brazil won the right to stage the worlds biggest single-sports event. The transition has meant some adaptations in the relationship with FIFA.After Rousseff and Valcke broke the ice, there will be follow up meetings in Brazil later this week to put the new cooperation into practice. The bill is expected to be voted on later this year.Valcke and Rousseffs officials also made it clear that at no point was there any talk of the World Cup being taken away from the five-time winners.