RIO DE JANEIRO — FIFA President Sepp Blatter on Monday called the Confederations Cup a success despite clashes between police and protesters near some matches.
While host nation Brazil was defeating Spain 3-0 in Sunday's final of the 2014 World Cup warmup tournament, police officers were unleashing tear gas canisters and stun grenades outside Rio de Janeiro's Maracana Stadium.
Blatter said he was "not going to discuss" police actions to repel protests outside some of the stadiums the last two weeks.
"Thanks to all those who have helped to make this competition such a success despite ... of all this unrest and protests," Blatter said.
"I am happy to come to the conclusion now, with the sporting results and also — with at least the impression that — the social unrest is now resting. I don't know how long but it is now resting."
Many of Brazil's anti-government protesters were angered at the lack of investment in public services compared with the billions of dollars being spent on next year's World Cup.
"Football is connecting people in the stadia and connecting people outside the stadia and ... I am sure that we will have a wonderful World Cup next year," Blatter said at a news conference.
"When you have next year the World Cup, or you have the Olympic Games here (in 2016), you can never make everybody happy. We tried to make everyone happy."
