England fans' WC safety worries Hodgson

England manager Roy Hodgson says he had worries for the safety of supporters at this year's World Cup finals in Brazil

England manager Roy Hodgson has concerns for the safety of supporters following his team at the World Cup finals in Brazil.

When the South American football superpower staged last year's Confederations Cup tournament, the on-field action was overshadowed by widespread, and in some cases violent, protests by Brazilians angry at the amount of money being spent on the World Cup as opposed to social programs.

While Hodgson has no fears for his squad, who will be based in Rio de Janeiro, and will have the benefit of extensive security, he did voice fears for the safety of travelling supporters attending the World Cup.

"As far as we (the team) are concerned we are going to have a lot of protection," Hodgson, now in the southern Brazilian city of Florianopolis for a workshop organised by FIFA, football's world governing body, told the BBC on Tuesday.

"It's more for the fans that this is a larger concern.

"But I have great faith in the government, the local organising committee and FIFA.

"I have to say that I don't want to suggest there is no reason for concern. Of course, there is."

Hodgson has used this visit to Brazil to check out the state of facilities the England squad will be using during the World Cup, which starts on June 12.

He has already inspected the Arena Amazonia in Manaus where England begin their Group D campaign against Italy on June 14 and the nearby hotel and training ground.

Although the training ground has yet to be completed, Hodgson said he'd been happy with the assurances he'd received that it would be ready in time for the tournament.


2 min read

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Source: AAP


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