LOC board meeting discusses FIFA Confederations Cup

The FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 was the main item on the agenda at the latest six-weekly board meeting of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ Organising Committee (LOC), held on Thursday at Rio de Janeiro’s Riocentro. Also up for discussion were preparations for Brazil 2014. “This is a special moment,” said LOC President Jose Maria Marin. “It is the first time that one of these meetings has been held at the Riocentro, the new headquarters of the Local Organising Committee, which will grow even more in size at the start of next year.” For his part, Brazilian Minister of Sport Aldo Rebelo said: “I would like to restate our desire and commitment to work together and make every effort to ensure that preparations for the FIFA World Cup in Brazil progress smoothly.” FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke was unable to attend the meeting due to a kidney infection and was represented by FIFA Deputy Secretary General and Director of Finance Markus Kattner. After visiting Valcke on Thursday, Dr Joao Mansur Filho said he was responding well to treatment. “I hope the Secretary General is fit and well again soon,” said Kattner. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the LOC and the federal government for the first-class cooperation they have offered in recent months, which has already yielded excellent results.” The LOC announced that a press event would be held in Sao Paulo on 8 November, where it will reveal the prices and terms and conditions of sale of the tickets for the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013. The draw for the FIFA Confederations Cup, which will take place on 1 December at the Anhembi Convention Centre in Sao Paulo, was also discussed. Brazilian television presenter Glenda Kozlowski will host the event, which will feature musical performances by Arlindo Cruz, Maria Gadu and Os Meninos do Morumbi. It was also confirmed that FIFA would set up its head office at the Forte de Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro during Brazil 2014. During the meeting the Brazilian government’s representatives provided an update on the work it has been carrying out, and focused in particular on the operational plans that are currently being implemented. In addition, the LOC and FIFA also provided an update on the situation with regard to national team training centres, safety, team services, broadcasting and marketing. The next LOC board meeting is scheduled to take place in Sao Paulo on 28 November. “The next time we come together the group draw for the FIFA Confederations Cup will be almost upon us,” commented Marin. “That competition will give us a valuable opportunity to test out all the services for the FIFA World Cup.” The meeting ended with all those present wishing the FIFA Secretary General the speediest of recoveries.   FIFA