HONG KONG, (Reuters) – FIFA president Sepp Blatter has encouraged fans to be optimistic that the World Cup in Brazil will be a success, amid growing concerns over security and public unrest as workers scramble to finish stadiums on time.
The Swiss said similar public scepticism had accompanied preparations for previous World Cups and yet the tournaments had proved to be successes, despite not all the work being finished.
“It is my 10th World Cup… and I can tell you I have never seen a World Cup that everything is ready, completely ready before the kick-off,” Blatter told reporters in Hong Kong yesterday.
“Football, with more than 300 million active participants, more than one billion fans, they are now waiting for this World Cup. It is in Brazil, it is a country where football has been, let’s say the best footballers of the world are from.
“It will be a great tournament. Be optimistic as we are optimistic, football is optimistic. Football is giving emotions to the world today in this perturbed world we are living in.”
Earlier this month, a local poll said less than half of Brazilians were in favour of still hosting the June 12-July 13 tournament, believing it would do more harm than good.
That opinion in the soccer-obsessed nation has come after last year’s widespread street protests during the Confederations Cup, with public anger at money being spent on building stadiums rather than improving health care and education.
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Blatter had said earlier this month that the 2014 World Cup would “be the most successful of all time”, though three stadiums and several airports are not ready while other promised infrastructure has been shelved.
Earlier this month, a two-day police strike led to a surge in violent crime in Salvador, one of 12 cities that will host games in the 32 team tournament.
Riots also broke out this week in the tourist hotspot of Copacabana, with gunshots fired, trash and at least one car burned and widespread vandalism reported after residents learned of the death of someone from their community.
