Three time World Cup winner and Brazilian legend, Pele has discussed the preparation situation ahead of 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil as disgraceful and worrisome. He also talked about the protests which have engulfed different cities across the country.
He told Sport Bild of the incompletion of stadiums like Sao Paulo’s Itaquerao, Cuiaba’s Arena Pantanal and Curitiba’s Arena da Baixada; “The political situation is difficult. The situation worries me. There has been sufficient time to bring the stadiums to completion. It’s unacceptable. It is a disgrace.”
With the tournament billed to commence in less than one month there is widespread protest over the cost of staging the tournament, demand for better welfare for workers in Brazil and social infrastructure; Pele lend his voice and concern for the timing of the protest in a news conference.
“People should have demonstrated when Brazil was chosen to organise the World Cup and not now that the World Cup is very soon.” He also admitted the protest could jeopardize the tournament by responding thus; “Yes, because I know that 25% of foreigners have already cancelled their trip to the country.”
He further stressed the corruption the nation has come to be known with and that it should not affect the chances of Brazil winning the tournament; he told Sport Bild, “Our national team has nothing to do with the existing corruption that has delayed the construction of the stadiums.”
“I hope that Brazil will win the World Cup. To me, the two best teams from Europe are Germany and Spain – Spain, because they have been playing outstanding football for years now and Germany because there are well organised and love to play attacking football. They are almost more Brazilian than we are.”