FIFA president Sepp Blatter has warned football fans travelling to Brazil for the World Cup that he expects protests to continue – and possibly worsen – during the tournament.
Blatter, usually the voice of defiance in the face of widespread World Cup-related criticism, has launched a stunning attack on Brazil’s preparations.
One of the biggest concerns in the build-up to Brazil 2014 has been related to personal safety due to the various demonstrations that have taken place around the South American nation. But instead of easing such worries, Blatter believes travelling fans have every right to be concerned.
"I am an optimist, not a pessimist. Football will be protected. I believe that Brazilians will not attack football directly. This is the sport's home, it's a religion," he said.
"We know there will be new demonstrations, protests. Last year, they were born of social networks. There was no goal, but at the World Cup they will be more directed, more structured."
Public demonstrations have been ongoing since 2012, initially due to the hike in public transport prices, and have subsequently increased; with up to 120,000 protesters taking to the streets during the Confederations Cup in June last year.
If social unrest was not enough to contend with, Brazil's World Cup preparations have also been marred by numerous deaths to construction staff working on the stadiums, many of which are hugely behind the scheduled date of completion.
Blatter is clearly unimpressed with the various ongoing issues with the Brazil World Cup, particularly given the amount of time they have had to organise the tournament.
"Brazil has come to realise that they started too late,” Blatter added. “They are the country who are the most delayed (in terms of World Cup organisation) since I have been at FIFA.
"Yet they are the only country who has had such a long time — seven years — to prepare."
