NEWS IN ENGLISH – Lula leaves South África before game
Vinicius Konchinski Reporter Agência Brasil
Johannesburg, South Africa – President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva ended an eight-day trip to six African nations on Saturday when he flew back to Brazil. Setting aside protocol requiring him to attend the World Cup final, as president of the next country to host the games, Lula decided to be less presidential and more a disappointed soccer fan. Spokespersons for the presidency said Lula was very depressed after Brazil was eliminated by Holland.
Lula left Johannesburg without meeting the head of the International Football Federation (Fifa), Joseph Blatter. That meeting will now take place in Brazil, in September, when Fifa executives will discuss preparations for the 2014 Cup with Brazilian authorities.
Lula apologized for not attending the final game saying he had problems back in Brazil, such as floods in the Northeast and a vice president who is hospitalized.
The minister of Sports, Orlando Silva, represented Brazil at the final game.

Allen Bennett – translator/editor The News in English
Link to related article  (Lula deixa África do Sul sem reunir-se com presidente da Fifa)