FIFA to keep pushing for fanfests in Brazil
BY Agencies22 Feb 2014 1:50 AM GMT
Agencies22 Feb 2014 1:50 AM GMT
FIFA will continue to push local officials to organize fanfests during the World Cup and could pursue legal action against the host cities that back down from their commitment.
When the northeastern city of Recife said last week it would not spend public money to host a fanfest, which allows fans without tickets to watch matches for free on large screens in public areas, FIFA marketing director Thierry Weil was surprised.
On the sidelines of a workshop with representatives of all 32 World Cup nations this week, Weil said he remains hopeful Recife will reconsider and is willing to sit down with officials to try to find a solution, but adds that if the event is cancelled for good, FIFA will consider suing for breach of contract.
‘If you have a contract in place with a party and the party is not respecting this contract, there is legal action you could take against them,’ Weil said.
‘Have we looked at what kind of potential legal action we could take? We have not. Only once we clearly know it has not happened we will decide what to do. I strongly believe we will have the fanfest in the 12 host cities.’
The fanfests are only the latest concern for FIFA as Brazil struggles to get ready for the World Cup with less than four months.
When the northeastern city of Recife said last week it would not spend public money to host a fanfest, which allows fans without tickets to watch matches for free on large screens in public areas, FIFA marketing director Thierry Weil was surprised.
On the sidelines of a workshop with representatives of all 32 World Cup nations this week, Weil said he remains hopeful Recife will reconsider and is willing to sit down with officials to try to find a solution, but adds that if the event is cancelled for good, FIFA will consider suing for breach of contract.
‘If you have a contract in place with a party and the party is not respecting this contract, there is legal action you could take against them,’ Weil said.
‘Have we looked at what kind of potential legal action we could take? We have not. Only once we clearly know it has not happened we will decide what to do. I strongly believe we will have the fanfest in the 12 host cities.’
The fanfests are only the latest concern for FIFA as Brazil struggles to get ready for the World Cup with less than four months.
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