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Former Brazil international Romario has blasted FIFA for announcing an expected profit of 1.67 billion euros from the 2014 World Cup without plans to re-invest in the country's infrastructure.
The South American nation has been blighted by economic problems over recent years, with violent protests during the Confederations Cup taking place as a result of the Brazilian government's decision to raise tax rates in order to fund the two major football finals as well as the Olympics in 2016.
Romario has now vented his anger at FIFA and president Sepp Blatter for prioritizing profit from next summer's finals over ensuring that plans are in place to leave a lasting legacy to improve social and economic problems in Brazil.
"Why are we organizing the most expensive World Cup in history, without any of the benefits to the community we were promised?" Romario wrote in his column for The Guardian. "Meanwhile, FIFA has announced that it will make a 1.67 billion euro profit from Brazil's World Cup, tax-free. Its easy profit contrasts with the total lack of an effective legacy.
"I never thought the World Cup would solve all of our problems, but now my fear is that this mega event will only deepen the problems we already have."
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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.
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