Brazilian government accepts Fifa apology
The Brazilian government has accepted a Fifa apology in relation to comments made by its general secretary, Jerome Valcke, over the country's preparations for the 2014 World Cup, Goal.com reported.
Valcke had claimed that the country needed "a kick up the backside" amidst reports that construction work on the grounds selected for the tournament were running well behind schedule and that planned infrastructural updates might not be completed in time for the big kick-off.
However, Fifa subsequently expressed its regret and remorse over Valcke's outburst and the Brazilian government confirmed on Thursday that minister of sport Aldo Rebelo had accepted the apology in a letter sent to the president of the game's governing body, Sepp Blatter.
"I reiterate the position of the Brazilian government is that episodes such as this one cannot happen again, to aid the preparation for the World Cup," Rebelo wrote.
It has also been confirmed that Blatter will soon meet with the country's president, Dilma Rousseff, but the date of the sit-down has not yet been disclosed.