RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — FIFA has defended keeping the 2014 World Cup in Brazil despite civil unrest during the test event, and says no “official offers” have been received from countries to step in to host the tournament.
More than a million Brazilians have taken to the streets during the Confederations Cup to protest about the lack of investment in public services compared with the billions of dollars being spent on the World Cup project.
FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke says he is “not ashamed about what we are doing” in Brazil.
Tear gas and rubber bullets have been fired at some demonstrators, leading to increased security around venues.
Valcke insists “there is no Plan B and … I have never received any official offer from any other countries” to stage the 2014 tournament.
