FIFA do not want the World Cup stadium to be used in Rio 2016…
FIFA have told organisers that they would prefer for all Olympic football matches take place in cities close to Rio de Janeiro, and have thus opposed the selection of Manaus as one of the venues for the football tournament.
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For FIFA, Manaus is considered to be too far away from the host city. “Manaus is not considered an appropriate choice to host a football game during Rio Olympics,” they said in an email statement.
FIFA’s reaction came a day after organisers announced that Rio 2016 will include Manaus in the list of host cities in an attempt to “integrate all of Brazil” in the Games.
The city, located in the Amazon jungle, hosted the World Cup last year, and is about 3000 km from Rio de Janeiro. The other proposed venues are Sao Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Salvador, and Brasilia, all of which were either built or renovated for the 2014 World Cup.
FIFA said that the organiser’s proposal would be discussed in March, when the Olympic Organising Committee meets FIFA in Zurich.