Brazil accepts FIFA ‘kick up backside’

BRASILIA - Agence France-Presse

FIFA President Sepp Blatter is likely to meet Brazil President Dilma Rousseff following a feud regarding the 2014 World Cup. AP photo

Brazil accepted FIFA’s apologies over the World Cup 2014 ‘kick up the backside’ controversy on March 8, paving the way for President Dilma Rousseff to meet world football chief Sepp Blatter.

“The federal government accepts FIFA’s apology and expects that this will not happen again,” said a sports ministry statement.

FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke had caused a major rift last week when he said the organizers of the 2014 showpiece needed a “kick up the backside” to salvage various projects that had fallen behind schedule.

Sports minister Aldo Rebelo said he had sent two letters on Thursday to FIFA -- one to FIFA president Blatter and the other to Valcke.

In them, it was stated that Rousseff would meet Blatter, although a date has yet to be confirmed.
Neither letter indicated whether Valcke, who is due to return to Brazil next Monday, would be recognized as FIFA spokesman.