AS BRAZIL IS preparing for two of the world’s biggest sporting events, its government is dealing with serious allegations of corruption which has led to the resignation of the country’s sports minister.
The government has insisted that Orlando Silva’s resignation over allegations that he participated in a “kickback scheme” will not affect preparations for either the Games or the World Cup.
Responsibilities for both events are spread out over multiple ministries and departments, it says.
President Dilma Rousseff has already named Silva’s replacement – Communist Party congressman Aldo Rebelo. It is not yet clear when he will assume the role but local media has said he will be the government’s point man for both the World Cup and Olympic Games.
Time to prove innocence
Silva has maintained his innocence over the allegations but said he left government so he could defend his honour. He also said he wanted to avoid a political crisis for the government, which has seen six ministers leave office since June.
Four of the five others also face corruption allegations.
One of the accusations against Silva is that public funds for ministry projects were kicked back to him in exchange for contracts to carry out social programs, reports the Wall Street Journal.
He claims he never received any money through such schemes.
Brazil has also come in for criticism from FIFA, soccer’s world governing body, because it has not adhered to some of its stadium and ticketing rules for the World Cup in 2014.
-Additional reporting by AP
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