Brazil fall out with Fifa's Jérôme Valcke over World Cup preparations

A widening rift between Fifa and the organisers of the 2014 World Cup has erupted into a bitter public dispute after the Brazilian government said it would no longer deal with the world body's secretary-general Jérôme Valcke. The Brazilian sports minister responded to Valcke's assertion on Friday that organisers needed a "kick up the arse" by saying his comments were "unacceptable" and has refused to work with him any more. The Fifa secretary-general has admitted fans could face problems over transport and accommodation. "I am sorry to say but things are not working in Brazil. You expect more support – there are these endless discussions about the World Cup bill. We should have received these documents signed by 2007 and we are in 2012," he said. The minister, Aldo Rebelo, said: "We have always had a cordial attitude towards everyone from Fifa. We can't accept such an offensive comment. He can't say something like that about a country. It's unacceptable."