Fifa’s Jerome Valcke sorry for ‘mistranslated’ criticism of Brazil

Fifa’s secretary general, Jerome Valcke, has apologised to Brazil after the country’s government told Fifa that it would no longer deal with him because of his remarks about its preparations for the 2014 World Cup.

In a statement addressed to Brazil’s sports minister, Valcke said his comments translated from French to Portuguese last week came out much stronger than they were supposed to.

The apology came after Brazil delivered a letter signed by the country’s sports minister Aldo Rebelo to the Fifa president, Sepp Blatter, officially announcing the country’s position not to welcome Valcke.

In a statement urging Brazil to speed up its World Cup preparations, Valcke was quoted on Friday as saying: “You have to push yourself, kick your [backside].”

Valcke was quoted in English too, but in his apology he said that his words “in French” meant only that Brazil needed to “pick up the pace” in its preparations. He said the expression he used “was translated to Portuguese using words a lot stronger”.

“I lament profoundly that the incorrect interpretation of my words caused so much worry,” he said in his statement that was made public by the Brazilian government. “I would like to apologise to [Rebelo] and any other person who might have been offended with my words.”

The sports ministry said it would not immediately comment on Valcke’s apology because it was received after Rebelo’s letter was delivered to Fifa. The press office said it didn’t yet know whether the government would accept the apology or whether it would change its position on Valcke.

The ministry said that it was aware that Valcke’s comments were made in English too. Valcke also said in his letter that “certainly” there is a sense “of concern within Fifa” regarding the World Cup.

“As the person ultimately responsible for this World Cup, I’m under a lot of pressure,” Valcke said. “The World Cup is key to our entire system.”

He also said that the problems with Brazil’s preparations can be solved and reiterated that Brazil “is and will always be the only option to host” the World Cup.

“I’m confident that there isn’t a problem which can’t be overcome with efforts by Fifa, the local organising committee and the Brazilian authorities,” he said.