Pele proposed as 2014 World Cup chief organizer

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, the Brazilian soccer great better known as Pele, was on Friday nominated for the presidency of the 2014 World Cup organizing committee, should Brazil win the right to host the competition.

Speaking to Friday media, Pele said he would accept the Brazilian Football Federation's proposal, as long as there were no unforeseen problems. He added that he would speak to his legal advisors about how leading the committee would affect an existing 20-year contract with a firm that bought the rights to his image.

Pele has already headed a World Cup organizing committee -- that of the United States for the 1994 World Cup.

According to the criteria established by the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA), for rotating the Cup between continents, 2014 version will be held in South America, after 2006 European World Cup and 2010 South African Cup.

Brazil has received the support from a great part of South American countries and regions, but Colombia has also put itself forward as a candidate.

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Brazil's president, has a meeting planned for next week with Joseph Blatter, FIFA's president, to discuss FIFA's World Cup requirements.

Source: Xinhua