BRASILIA: A new attempt is under way to launch a parliamentary inquiry into the Brazilian football confederation and the states associations writes KEIR RADNEDGE.

Senator Mario Couto has already obtained 34 signatures which is seven more than the minimum requirement. He has based his complaint on allegations of abuse of power and finance in the election of officials both nationally and regionally

Couto is also concerned at the allegations, raised in the media, about the complex web of payments for revenues generated by the national team’s friendly matches.

State President Dilma Rousseff is no friend of the leadership of the CBF, both past and present, under successive presidents Ricardo Teixeira and now Jose Mara Marin. However she is understood to consider it would be counter-productive for her to progress such action for fear of fuelling street protests during next summer’s World Cup finals.

One complication for Couto and his supporters is that the CBF is a private organisation and falls outside the inquiry jurisidction. Hence his linking a prospective inquiry into concerns over the financing of the World Cup stadia.

Cash row for FIFA

Separately, Brazilian prosecutors are seeking to recover almost $100m from FIFA which is being spent on temporary structures at World Cup venues.

The Brazilian government wants to recover $60m and also pursue an additional $28m dating back to last June’s Confederations Cup, the World Cup dress rehearsal.

Brazil’s argument is that any temporary facility will not be of post-Cup benefit to the Brazilian people so the state should not have to foot the bill.

FIFA’s view is that it does not own the stadiums and is therefore not liable for associated facilities.

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