Brazil president meets FIFA over World Cup fears

03 October 2011 15:05

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff had a "positive meeting" with FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke on Monday to discuss the 2014 World Cup, Brazil's Sports Minister Orlando Silva said.

The meeting was organised at the behest of the Brazilian authorities due to disagreements about a bill submitted for approval by the Brazilian Congress on September 19.

The bill seeks to limit FIFA's control over image rights for the 2013 Confederations Cup and the 2014 World Cup, both of which will take place in Brazil.

"We re-examined preparations for the World Cup in Brazil and the Brazilian government reaffirmed their commitments ... and the president personally confirmed her intention to prepare the country to offer suitable conditions," said Silva.

Silva had previously admitted that "there could be certain points of disagreement" with FIFA, but said in a statement on Friday that he was committed to establishing "a harmonious working relationship" with world football's governing body.

Rousseff arrived in Brussels on Sunday to begin a visit that will include an EU-Brazil summit focusing on the eurozone crisis.

Source: AFP