FIFA says not seeking demolition of former Rio museum

RIO DE JANEIRO (AFP) - FIFA on Wednesday denied reports that it was seeking the demolition of Rio's former Indian Museum located next to the iconic Maracana stadium, the venue for the final of the 2014 World Cup final.

The demolition is at the center of a months-long legal tussle, with authorities saying they will raze the abandoned colonial-style building within 30 days at the request of football's world governing body as part of an urban renewal program.

But the agency in charge of protecting the city's cultural heritage and the Rio's prosecutor's office are opposed.

"FIFA has always supported efforts by the Brazilian government to facilitate access to the 2014 World Cup matches for the indigenous people and in this context we want to make it clear that FIFA has never called for the demolition of Rio's Indian Museum," its press office said.

"Neither FIFA nor the (World Cup's) Local Organizing Committee own or build the stadiums. The owners decide what is best for the region, the teams, the communities," the body said in a written statement.

A spokeswoman for the state of Rio queried by AFP said FIFA was insisting on "the public and cars being able to quickly vacate the (Maracana) stadium and its surrounding area" and noted that "the demolition (of the museum building) would be the solution".

"It is part of all the urban renewal works needed to meet FIFA demands. But FIFA is not demanding that the museum (building) itself be razed," she added.

The Maracana sport complex is getting a thorough facelift for the World Cup and the 2016 summer Olympics.

The building slated for demolition housed the first Indian Museum from 1953 until 1977 when it was transferred to the Botafogo district.

The empty edifice is now owned by the agriculture ministry.

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FIFA says not seeking demolition of former Rio museum