The document indicates security "risks" - which include political protests and strikes - in six of the 12 cities due to host World Cup matches including Rio - which will host the final in the Maracana Stadium ahead of the Olympic and Paralympic Games two years later.

It identified "a difficult relationship between public authorities and society" in the city.

This comes as Rio authorities battle to bolster security by increasing police presence in tourist areas, as well as building upon a six-year-old policy of "pacifying" the city's vast number of favelas. 

The report also highlighted the cities of Sao Paulo, Salvador and Brasilia, all of which will also host football matches during Rio 2016, as well as Porto Alegre as other areas where potential problems exist.

In particular, the report cited the impact of a cut in the military police budget in Sao Paulo, the location for the opening match of the World Cup, as well as a lorry drivers' strike in Porto Alegre and a civil servants' strike in Belo Horizonte.

Another concern, according to the report, is the capital Brasilia, where "opposition parties are attempting to wreck the image" of Governor Agnelo Queiroz and his ruling Workers' Party.

This all comes after widespread public protests rocked last summer´s Confederations Cup - where vast numbers of people took to the streets in opposition of the spiralling cost of major sporting events in comparison with reduced spending elsewhere.

Large-scale public protests were held during the Confederations Cup last summer
©Getty Images



Although the numbers have decreased, street protests have continued in more recent months as the World Cup continues to provoke opposition. 

The report also expressed concerns over the security of teams and foreign visitors during the month-long tournament, while the Government further fears unrest between indigenous groups and agricultural workers in the north-east.

In response to the reports being leaked in a Brazilian newspaper this morning, a spokesman for President Dilma Rousseff told AFP the undated report was "preliminary," not conclusive and merely the result of "informal consultation" with local people in the various cities cited. 

The spokesman added: "The information published in the newspaper is not official and has not been verified."

However, the report is nevertheless a useful indicator of concerns which do exists - and also highlights the challenge facing the Rio 2016 Organising Committee as they host the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordination Commission here this week. 

Rio 2016 representatives have admitted to insidethegames that work does still need to be done to convince people of the merits of hosting sporting events - but they have also described good progress as they introduce a large number of legacy projects to the people of Rio.

These range from educational projects, to infrastructure work as well as measures tackling pollution. 

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
March 2014: Three public holidays in Rio to ease traffic during FIFA World Cup
March 2014: "Problems under control" insists Blatter as World Cup 100 day countdown begins
February 2014: Injuries reported as violence erupts during Rio de Janeiro protest
January 2014: FIFA boss hits out at Brazil's preparations for 2014 World Cup
April 2013: Rio plans long-lasting security legacy from Olympics and World Cup