Dilma Claims Stadiums are "Simple" Projects

01/24/2014 - 08h24

President Dilma Rousseff, alongside FIFA President Joseph Blatter, stated yesterday in Switzerland that all the stadiums planned for the World Cup will be completed.

"The stadiums are relatively simple works. The government will make every effort to make it the World Cup of World Cups. This includes stadiums, airports, ports, everything that is needed for the country to receive all who come to visit us", she said.

The comment was made after Folha's insistence that Dilma reveals, in front of Blatter, the possibility of the Arena da Baixada in Curitiba being excluded from hosting games, threatened because of delays.

In a joint statement made by the two to the press, the topic was not mentioned and journalists were informed that they would both not be open to questions.

Faced with repeated questions on the report, the President returned to the microphone. "They can come to Brazil, you will be welcomed with open arms by the Brazilian people."

The president refused to say whether she promised Blatter that the arena would be ready on time.

The day before yesterday, FIFA's secretary general, Jérôme Valcke, said that the situation in Brazil is "in a state of emergency" and gave a deadline of February 18 for a decision to be made on the stadium.

The official statement from both at FIFA headquarters was protocol. They promised, for example, that the World Cup would have the fight against racism, peace and women's rights among its banners. The meeting lasted nearly an hour.

Blatter adopted a discourse of reconciliation: "Brazil will organize a great World Cup. We still have a few months and, if some touching up is needed anywhere, we will do it".

The meeting in Zurich was marked to display harmony between FIFA and the Brazilian government after a series of discontent in 2013, like in the Confederations Cup, marked by street protests and the booing of the both of them at the opening.

The crisis had grown after the President did not appear at the final game in Rio.

VALCKE

Three days after threatening to cut Curitiba from the World Cup, Fifa general secretary Jérôme Valcke tried to reassure the public by yesterday stating that fans could buy tickets and book flights for the four matches scheduled in the city.

Valcke, however, admitted that "there is no easy solution" to the situation of the stadium and stated that up to February 18th, the deadline set by the organization to decide whether the arena will be in shape enough to host games, FIFA would still not be working with a plan B.

Translated by STEVE HUGHES

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Fabrice Coffrini/AFP

President of FIFA Sepp Blatter handshake with Dilma Rousseff after their meeting for updates on the preparations for the World Cup