SAO PAULO (AP) — FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke has apologized to Brazil after the country’s government delivered a letter officially informing FIFA that it won’t deal with him during its preparations for the 2014 World Cup.
In a statement addressed to Brazil’s sports minister on Monday, Valcke said his comments translated from French to Portuguese last week came out much stronger than they were supposed to.
His response came just hours after Brazil delivered a letter to FIFA President Sepp Blatter officially announcing the country’s position not to welcome Valcke.
Asking Brazil to speed up its World Cup preparations, Valcke was quoted on Friday saying: “You have to push yourself, kick your (backside).”
