体坛英语新闻：Pele sends warning to Brazilian World Cup organizers

RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- Soccer legend Edson Arantes do Nascimento, or Pele, declared on Friday his concern with the little amount of progress made towards the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Pele, a key figure in Brazil's marketing strategy to win the 2014 bid, directed his statement to the organizers of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, calling their attention to the necessity of complying with previous obligations and deadlines.

Pele said that he does not want to look like a fool for his lobbying of Brazil to host the world's most prestigious sporting event.

The former player added that Brazil is running a serious risk of being ashamed in front of the world for the way in which it administers the Cup.

He cited unresolved issues such as airport congestion, the indecision of stadium location and reforms in the city of Sao Paulo and the behind schedule performance on stadium construction throughout the country.

Pele claimed that there was no comparison to be made between the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Pele cited the help of Bill Gates, Bono Vox and others, included that in 2010 only four states received games.

Brazil must be ready by mid 2013 in order to host the Confederation Cup, the warm-up to the 2014 World Cup.