FIFA Dismisses Criticism From Rio Mayor Over World Cup Focus

FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke dismissed criticism from Rio de Janeiro’s mayor over soccer’s governing body’s focus on stadium readiness for next year’s World Cup.

Mayor Eduardo Paes, in an interview to be aired tomorrow by ESPN’s affiliate in Brazil, said the “FIFA environment isn’t the best in the world” and said the organization isn’t interested in infrastructure projects such as mass transit that would leave a legacy. He called Rio’s hosting of the 2016 Olympics an “embarrassment” given the lack of preparedness of Brazil’s athletes because of poor federal sports policies, according to a preview of the interview on ESPN’s website.