Preparations for the 2014 World Cup are facing challenges, as demonstrated by a recent visit from Jérôme Valcke, the secretary-general of FIFA. A potentially routine inspection turned into a near-tragedy when around fifty civil servants in Cuiaba staged a protest at the city’s stadium, expressing dissatisfaction with the costs associated with hosting the World Cup.
Protesters displayed messages on placards such as “Less Cup and more education” and “FIFA Go Home.” Jérôme Valcke, however, downplayed the demonstration, stating, “We have a demonstration here, people are free, and this is part of democracy. This happened during the Confederations Cup,” referring to previous protests during the lead-up to the World Cup.
During his control visit, Valcke encountered a challenging situation as demonstrators entered the field of the Arena Pantanal, one of the World Cup venues. They even attempted to enter a room where Valcke was conducting a press conference, prompting police intervention to disperse the protesters.
This incident follows a trend of public discontent surrounding the World Cup preparations, as illustrated by the booing of FIFA President Sepp Blatter during the opening ceremony of the Confederations Cup in June. Clashes during the competition also resulted in tragic outcomes. The protest in Cuiaba further highlights the tensions and challenges faced by FIFA in organizing the 2014 World Cup.
