Confederations Cup to continue

By Football Italia staff

FIFA say the Confederations Cup will not be ended prematurely, with reports in Brazil suggesting that a participating nation wants the tournament postponed.

The eight-team event in the country has been played in the backdrop of protests from people unhappy with the government’s funding of the competition, next year’s World Cup and the 2016 Olympics.

Demonstrations, some violent, are thought to have involved up to one million citizens.

“Up until this point in time, neither FIFA or the local organising committee have ever discussed any such possibility [of abandoning the tournament],” a FIFA spokesman told PA Sport.

A heavy police presence was visible in yesterday’s Group B games in Rio de Janeiro and Salvador, but there were reports of incidents around the Uruguay-Nigeria tie.

Stories in local media are suggesting that one team are considering asking for the tournament to be postponed on safety grounds.

Some reports suggest that the concern is emanating from the Italian camp, where players are worried about the well-being of family members present in the country.

Italy, who have already booked their place in the semi-finals, will face hosts Brazil on Saturday in their final group game.

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