FIFA president Sepp Blatter has declared the World Cup in Brazil a success, saying fears of anti-tournament protests had not materialised.
"I am a very happy man today," Blatter said at a sport management seminar in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday. "It is a success of the country, of this game."
The World Cup has escaped the massive protests that marred last year's warm-up tournament, the Confederations Cup, when hundreds of thousands of people swarmed the streets to denounce the record $11- billion (R118.5-billion) spent on hosting the event.
The protests have been much smaller during the World Cup, drawing a few hundred demonstrators still angry that the country spent so much on stadiums instead of hospitals, schools and public transport.
"I would like to address my compliments to the people of Brazil. They accepted this World Cup," Blatter said. About 10 people protested against Fifa outside the seminar building.
The tournament was a success thanks to high television ratings, stadiums that were works of art and zero positive tests for doping, he said.
At the same seminar, Brazil's sports deputy minister Luis Fernandes joined local organising committee (LOC) member and 1994 world champion Bebeto in saluting the event so far. – AFP