Soccerex said it was forced to cancel its global convention in Rio de Janeiro after the local sports ministry withdrew financial support for the annual event.
“It is with great disappointment that we must confirm that the final Soccerex Global Convention in Brazil will now not be taking place,” the British trade show organizer announced Nov. 6. “With the ongoing civil unrest, the Rio de Janeiro State Secretary of Sport took the political decision to withdraw their support from the Soccerex Global Convention.”
A spokesman for the ministry attributed the decision to Soccerex’ failure to secure sponsorship dollars, according to a report by the World Federation of Sporting Goods Industry. The decision comes amid some criticism from Brazilian unions and other non-governmental organizations that the Brazil government should be using the billions of reales it is investing preparing for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics in projects that they argue would lift more of its citizens out of poverty.
Soccerex said preparations to hold the Soccerex Global Conference 2013 at the Maracanã Stadium were well advanced with content planned, speakers confirmed and partnerships in place. The event was expected to draw 4,500 industry luminaries, including coaches, athletes, CEO and government officials. Soccerex has hosted 33 events on over 5 continents over the last 18 years, including one in Johannesburg on the eve of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The company said it will sue the Brazilian state to recoup costs and has now pivoted to promoting its 2014 convention, which will take place in Manchester, England.
“While the cancellation is an immense shock for everyone involved with Soccerex, it is important to note that the Soccerex Global Convention is contracted in Manchester for the next four years beginning in September 2014. The Soccerex African Forum will take place in Durban in November and two other Soccerex events, one in Russia, and one in the Americas are soon to be announced.”
