Roy Hodgson is looking forward to a night at the opera in Manaus after he buried the hatchet with the jungle city’s outspoken mayor.
Hodgson angered Manaus mayor Arthur Virgilio when he said the northern Brazilian city was “the place to avoid” during the World Cup due to its sticky climate.
Sadly for Hodgson, luck was not on his side at Friday’s draw in Salvador as his team were given a tough opening fixture against Italy at the Arena Amazonia.
Diplomatic manoeuvres took place on both sides in an attempt to ease the frayed relationship between England and the Mayor.
The British ambassador to Brazil apologised to Manaus’ Sports Minister over Hodgson’s comments and the Mayor’s Office responded by claiming that they would “Welcome England fans to Manaus with warmth, good food and parties.”
Hodgson himself moved to play down a rift with the Mayor after the draw.
“It was a quote that has been totally misunderstood,” the former Liverpool manager said. “I have always actually wanted to go to Manaus. To suggest that we don’t want to go there or show a lack of respect is complete nonsense.
“If they’ve take offence, I can only apologise. There was certainly no offence meant. I am actually looking forward to going.”
While Rio will be the No. 1 choice for any England fan heading to Brazil next summer, a trip to Manaus will also be intriguing to some.
Fans will have a chance to sail up the Amazon and view the spectacular wildlife, but a pamphlet handed out by the city’s tourist board warns supporters that: “it’s possible to meet alligators at night.”
The city boasts a grand opera house constructed during the 19th century during a boom in the rubber trade.
Hodgson said: “We’ll go to see (the mayor), meet him and invite him to our training camp and I hope he’s going to invite me to the opera house!”
The Football Supporters’ Federation said there had been a “mixed” reaction among England fans to the news that the team would be playing in Manaus.
Some fans, it said, had been put off by the idea of trekking to the jungle, but others were relishing the prospect of experiencing true Amazonian culture despite the heat.
Manaus’ sports minister Fabricio Lima insists the humidity will not be a problem, however.
“For the supporters and for the English team the only warmth they will feel is from the people of Manaus and that is all that counts,” he said with a smile.
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