Thursday, March 13, 2008

Soccer-Pele joins Brazil's 2014 organising committee

Pele, who was conspicuously absent from the ceremony when Brazil were awarded the 2014 World Cup last year, is now joining the tournament's organising committee.

"I want to be part of a World Cup which will be worthy of Brazil," he told Globo television in an interview on Thursday, standing next to Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) president Ricardo Teixeira.

"I hope that Brazil can put on a World Cup which will serve as an example to FIFA and the world.

"I believe I can make a big contribution to the success of the World Cup in our country."

Brazil, the only candidate to stage the tournament, were confirmed as hosts by FIFA last October.

At the time, Teixeira dismissed the absence of a player who for most people symbolises football in the South American country.

"I don't know where he is but we invited two players here that represent the great generation of players during my presidency," he said, referring to former captain Dunga, now national team coach, and striker Romario.

Teixeira has been CBF president since 1989 and his relationship with Pele has often been frosty.

PUBLIC RIFT

The rift first became public in 1993 when Pele was snubbed by world soccer's ruling body FIFA, who refused to invite him to take part in the 1994 World Cup draw, held in Las Vegas.

This followed a bitter attack by Pele on Teixeira, whose father-in-law Joao Havelange was FIFA president at the time.

It re-surfaced when Pele refused to back Brazil's bid for the 2006 World Cup, dealing a fatal blow to the candidacy, which was withdrawn days before the final vote in Zurich.

Six years ago, Pele said he had declared peace with Teixeira although the pair have never appeared very close. Teixeira said Pele, who will be 73 in 2014, was likely to given an ambassador's role, possibly visiting the other 31 finalists.

"He will travel a lot, he's the right name to represent Brazil abroad."

Brazil previously staged the World Cup in 1950 when Pele was nine years old.

He said last year that he remembered seeing his father cry when Brazil lost 2-1 to Uruguay in the tournament's decisive match.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKB66772220080307?sp=true

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