Audio By Carbonatix
Former Brazil football star Romario has said Fifa must not be allowed to dictate changes to Brazilian law ahead of the World Cup in 2014.
Romario - who is now a congressman - said laws that guarantee half-price tickets to students and pensioners should not be swept away.
The Brazilian congress is currently debating a bill that would meet Fifa's conditions for the tournament.
Romario, 45, led Brazil's attack when they won the World Cup in 1994.
The former star was speaking on a visit to Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium, which is being refurbished for the tournament.
"If Fifa is not put in its rightful place it will soon have more power than our president," he told journalists.
Romario said Fifa could bear the cost of maintaining discounted tickets for students and pensioners during the tournaments estimated at around $100m (£64m).
"Fifa could earn a little bit less so that the Brazilians can take part," he said.
Fifa says the money it makes from World Cup tournaments is reinvested in football.
Delays
Earlier Romario expressed himself more strongly on his Twitter account.
"Brazil needs to stop this business of becoming a slave of Fifa," he tweeted.
"The sovereignty of the country must be respected".
Romario also warned that infrastructure projects needed for the tournament, including airports and urban transport, were behind schedule.
"Brazil is certainly not going to stage the best World Cup in history as some have said," he warned.
"It is not going to be a World Cup for the Brazilian people".
Last month the head of Fifa Sepp Blatter wrote to Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff to express concern over delays in the construction of stadiums and infrastructure for the World Cup.
Fifa has also been pressing for the rapid approval of the World Cup law, which also covers the protection of trademarks, television rights and the sale of alcohol in stadiums.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
MultiChoice Ghana rewards DStv premium subscribers with UK Premier League experience
2 minutes -
Three GCTU scholars named among world’s top 2% scientists
4 minutes -
IMF Executive Board completes the fifth review under the extended Credit Facility arrangement with Ghana
8 minutes -
Dr. Zaato criticises government for sending engineers abroad while local projects stall
10 minutes -
Today’s Front pages: Thursday, December 18, 2025
1 hour -
Let’s rally behind Bawumia to rebuild and reclaim power in 2028 – Opoku Prempeh to NPP faithful
1 hour -
UK and Ghana co-host African Development Fund 17 Pledging Conference in London
1 hour -
Work yourself out of a job: The fearless path to leadership legacy
1 hour -
Empower institutions, not politicians, to win the galamsey fight – Kokofu
2 hours -
Mankessim Omanhen declares lithium lands ‘Artificial Disaster Zones’
2 hours -
Funerals, family visits drive GH¢6.6bn in domestic tourism
2 hours -
Christmas fever in Mother Ghana
2 hours -
At 90, Uncle Ray still punches above his weight – Enduring legacy of Ambassador Ray Quarcoo
2 hours -
GRA targets revenue growth and public trust through intensive staff training
2 hours -
People were leaking information to fraud suspects – Sam George on past failed cybercrime arrests
2 hours
