Friday, 21st June, 2013
Football’s world governing body FIFA have denied reports that any team from the ongoing Confederations Cup has asked to leave the tournament over security fears.
For over a week, thousands of people have been part of protests in Brazil’s major cities, with many demonstrations turning violent on occasion.
The protests have also seen a fatality, when a man was killed in Sao Paulo state, and many have expressed fears that the violence could impact the football.
Indeed, the protests had initially targeted government policies over transport costs, but they are now also directed at corruption and the cost of next year’s football World Cup.
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The Confederations Cup is expected to be the warm-up event in terms of Brazil’s preparedness for next year, even as reports emerged that Italy had asked to leave the tournament over security concerns.
However, FIFA today released a statment via their Twitter feed saying: "FIFA is in constant contact with all stakeholders, including teams. FIFA has not received any requests to leave Brazil, from any team.
"FIFA supports and acknowledges the right to free speech and to demonstrate peacefully, and condemns any form of violence.
"FIFA is in constant contact with local authorities. We have full trust in security arrangements and we’ll continue to monitor the situation.
"At no stage, neither FIFA, the [Local Organising Committee], nor the Federal Government have discussed or considered cancelling the FIFA [Confederations Cup]."
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