Soccerex Global Convention 2013 cancelled due to concerns about "ongoing civil unrest" in Brazil

The Soccerex Global Convention 2013, which was due to take place in Brazil's Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, from the 30/11 to the 05/12/2013, has been cancelled by Rio de Janeiro's state secretary of sport due to concerns about "ongoing civil unrest" in Brazil, the Soccerex organisers announced on the 05/11/2013.

The Soccerex Global Convention has been running since 1995. It brings together football federations and associations, major clubs, rights holders, leading brands, businessmen and others in the industry.

"It is with great disappointment that we must confirm that the final Soccerex Global Convention in Brazil will now not be taking place. With the ongoing civil unrest, the Rio de Janeiro State Secretary of Sport took the political decision to withdraw their support from the Soccerex Global Convention," said a statement on the Soccerex website, on the 06/11/2013.

This claim is "strongly denied" by the Rio authorities, instead citing a funding dispute. In an official statement, the state government of Rio de Janeiro "encouraged the organisers to seek cultural and sports…