More Pele Pronouncements To Invalidate

Pele is, or shall we say the media are, at it again. Predictions associated with Pele typically fall by the wayside (see posts here and there and here) and here are five more pronouncements to invalidate because Pele said:

1) it's scary to see how far behind Brazil is in its preparations to host the 2014 World Cup

2) Brazil striker Neymar did the right thing by choosing to stay in Brazil instead of accepting an offer from a European club

3) Santos had a good chance of beating Barcelona in the Club World Cup next month in Japan

4) FIFA was right to ask Brazil to sign a new law that would regulate commercial rights, alcohol sales and advertising rules for the tournament, among other things.

5) FIFA cannot be blamed for anything.


REAL MEANINGS

1) It is NOT scary. Brazil will be ready to host the 2014 World Cup.

2) Brazil striker Neymar WILL move to a European club.

3) Santos will NOT beat Barcelona next month at the Club World Cup.

4) FIFA was WRONG to ask Brazil to sign away all its commercial rights for the 2014 World Cup.

5) FIFA CAN be blamed for EVERYTHING.

Thank you Edison Arantes do Nascimento for being such an icon OFF the pitch as well as ON the pitch.


Pele: Brazil's 2014 build-up is 'scary'

Soccer great 'worries' about delays in World Cup preparations, but confident country will deliver
SOCCER
Associated Press in Sao Paulo
Nov 12, 2011

Pele says it's scary to see how far behind Brazil is in its preparations to host the 2014 World Cup.

He said it made him sad that it took so long for the country to start seriously preparing for the tournament, but added he was confident Brazil would do what needs to be done in time.

The football great defended Fifa for asking Brazil to urgently approve a law establishing the legal framework needed for the World Cup, saying the government knew of the world governing body's demands when it bid to host the tournament.

Pele said young Brazil striker Neymar did the right thing by choosing to stay in Brazil instead of accepting an offer from a European club, adding that Santos had a good chance of beating Barcelona in the Club World Cup next month in Japan.

Pele, the World Cup's official ambassador in Brazil, said he was surprised with some of the delays in the 12 host cities, including in construction for some of the stadiums that will be used in the month-long tournament scheduled to begin in less than three years. "It was scary," he said. "It is sad and it worries me that we have to go through this even though we knew eight years ago that the World Cup was going to be held in Brazil."

He said, however, that President Dilma Rousseff was fully aware of the challenges Brazil was facing and would not let Brazil fail.

"It seems everything is being solved, there are some delays but I'm certain that everything will be ready," he said. "We have problems with transportation and communications, but the government will do everything necessary to get things ready."

Pele made the comments at a press conference to promote a research institute that bears his name and is aimed at helping children across Brazil. He also said he thought Fifa was right to ask Brazil to sign the law that will allow Brazil to deliver the final commitments it made to Fifa in its bid to host the World Cup and the 2013 Confederations Cup.

The new law would regulate commercial rights, alcohol sales and advertising rules for the tournament, among other things. But many Brazilian lawmakers, including former striker Romario, are hesitant because the proposed law allegedly gives Fifa too many powers.

"Fifa cannot be blamed for anything," Pele said. "This is not new for the Brazilian government. It accepted all of these demands, now it has to find a solution and I know that it will find it."

Pele also praised Neymar for agreeing to stay with Santos until the World Cup, and dismissing a move to clubs such as Real Madrid or Barcelona, which reportedly tried to sign him several times. "We always thought that it would be better for him to stay in Brazil for as long as possible and we always tried to convince him of that," said Pele, who was Santos' biggest star in the 1960s. "It's better if he stays here until he can become more mature to play in Europe."