Mariana Jungmann       Reporter Agência Brasil

Brasília – The downfall of minister of Sports, Orland Silva, and investigations of his predecessor, Agnelo Queiroz, now the governor of the Federal District, stem from questionable relations, in the form of service contracts, between the ministry and non-governmental organizations for the execution of ministerial programs. Money disappeared (“desvios de verbas”), going to NGOs with links to the minister’s political party, the PCdoB.

The new minister of Sports, Aldo Rebelo (PcdoB-SP), in his first comments following his appointment, declared that he will avoid contracts with NGOs.

Rebelo is also expected make many personnel changes in the ministry, where aides to the former minister are accused of being involved in the embezzlement scheme. However, Rebelo made it clear that the changes were not because anyone was considered guilty of criminal activities. “Changes do not mean that anyone is being condemned. Investigations will continue and the ministry will cooperate,” he declared.

Rebelo denied receiving campaign contributions from companies with commercial contracts with the Brazilian Soccer Federation (“CBF”) and added that they would not affect his work at the Ministry of Sports, anyway.

He concluded by saying that he would be independent in his relations with FIFA, the International Soccer Association, that will hold the World Soccer Cup in Brazil in 2014, and intends to defend the General Law of the Cup and other interests of the Brazilian government.

Allen Bennett – translator/editor The News in English

Link - Novo ministro do Esporte diz que evitará convênios com ONGs