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Summary FIFA Chief Jerome Valcke says there is no stress between FIFA and Brazilisn government.
FIFAs General Secretary Jerome Valcke had a meeting on Thursday (January 19) with Brazils Sports Minister, Aldo Rebelo, and said that both parties were working together for the 2014 World Cup.Valcke travelled to Brazil to inspect the countrys preparations and to try to forge a deal with the government on the approval of the World Cup Law.Brazil has resisted changing its laws banning alcohol in stadiums and providing discounted tickets for people over 65, and FIFA has become frustrated because the World Cup bill which sets the rules for the event has been held up for months in Congress.Former soccer player Ronaldo, now a member of the Local Committee Organization, also participated.Valcke said there was no tension between FIFA and Brazil, that discussions like the World Cup Law approval were common at every sports event.I just want to repeat-- and it was the opening of my speech at the ball meeting-- that we together with the Minister are working as one team, for one event, which is the World Cup. And, to be clear, there is no tension between FIFA and the government and there is just discussion as happens in all organizations, not only in the World Cup. Even when we organize a futsal World Cup, we have this kind of discussion, said Valcke.Rebelo said the government was also urging approval of the law in March.We have been discussing the World Cup Law for a while. All of the alternatives have already been examined and are waiting for a choice. There is will on behalf of the people responsible for approving it (the law), there is will from the Sports Minister and from the government. So, there isnt a reason for the solution to be announced after March. It is not only FIFA that wants a solution, we want it too, he said.Earlier this week, Valcke announced his intention of returning to Brazil every two months to visit each of the 12 cities in which World Cup matches will be played.
