CUIABA, Oct 9: Dozens of public sector workers demanding more spending on health and education vandalized part of the construction site of a World Cup stadium and chanted anti-FIFA slogans during the latest visit by FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke to the central city of Cuiaba on Tuesday.

The group of about 50 protesters, many of them striking teachers and postal workers backed by students, carried banners saying ‘FIFA Go Home’ when Valcke and other officials arrived at the construction site of the Arena Pantanal, one of the 12 venues which will host World Cup matches next year.

The demonstrators, who were complaining about the cost of next year’s World Cup and demanding improvements for local citizens, managed to gain entry to the venue and painted messages that called for “Less World Cup, more health and education”.

Some then tried to invade a news conference held by Valcke, who continued his latest visit to the host nation ahead of a visit to organisers in Rio on Thursday. Security pushed the protesters back and the event went ahead as planned.

A second protest marred a visit by Valcke, Brazilian Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo and local organising committee representatives and former Brazil stars Ronaldo and Bebeto to an urban mobility project.

“People are free and [protests] are part of democracy,” Valcke told reporters, before praising Cuiaba’s preparations for the tournament.

The Cuiaba stadium, costing some $245 million, is 85 percent complete. The arena will host four matches in total.

Earlier, Valcke stressed the World Cup would go ahead using all 12 venues as scheduled despite lingering doubts as to whether all would be ready by a December deadline.

“There is no way that one city will be off the list,” Valcke said. “There will be 12 host cities and the match schedule will be respected and will be the one we will enforce for the World Cup 2014.”

He added on Twitter: “For last time. The Brazil #WorldCup WILL be played in 12 host cities, according to match schedule announced Oct 2011.”

The protests come less than four months after millions of people took to the streets in many Brazilian cities to demand more spending on infrastructure and better quality public services during the Confederations Cup.

In several cases, demonstrators tried to reach the stadiums hosting matches but were beaten back by riot police. The protests are a serious worry for FIFA, who are hoping for a stress-free tournament next year.—Agencies