Brazilian government and FIFA fall out

Relations between FIFA and the Brazilian government have worsened after both parties criticised the other in the build up to the 2014 world cup.

FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke yesterday said organisers of the 2014 event needed to buck up their ideas - a comment which led to the country's government saying they no longer wanted to deal with him.

Brazil's sports minister Aldo Rebelo responded by saying: "The government can no longer have the secretary general as a representative.

"We need a representative who has the ability to understand the level of responsibilities required for this type of relationship."

Valcke was equally displeased with this snub and described Rebelo's remarks as childish and "puerile".

"If the result is they don't want to talk to me any more, I'm not the guy they want to work with, that's a bit puerile."

Valcke had said that fans could face major problems at the tournament over hotels and transport.