2014 World Cup: Security issues in Brazil has England 'very concerned'

Recent protests have on occasion turned violent and Hodgson admits it will be a main concern of the Three Lions's security team

Riot police and protesters face-off near the Maracana Stadium during the Confederations Cup (GETTY IMAGES)

Roy Hodgson expects England's security team will be “very concerned” about the current civil unrest in Brazil ahead of the World Cup.

Violent protests in Brazilian cities marred the Confederations Cup last summer and occasional rioting has taken place since.

Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro have been the focus of protests in recent weeks.

Global football convention Soccerex was due to place at the Maracana on the eve of the World Cup draw, but that has now been cancelled because of "civil unrest", according to organisers. Rio's state government, however, deny this was the reason behind the cancellation.

Hodgson is confident that the tournament will pass off peacefully, but should the violence continue, he feels planners will be worried.

"It's something which our security people I'm sure will be very, very concerned about," the England manager said.

"At the moment it doesn't really concern me. What concerns me is the draw on December 6 - who we're going to get and who we're going to be asked to play.

"We'll start talk about (security) immediately afterwards. June is a long way off and I, just like all the other coaches, have to trust that any civil unrest at the moment will be quelled or put to bed at least by the time we get there and that we'll be able to take part in the tournament just as teams have taken part in all the previous tournaments without any problems in this regard."

England enjoyed a successful trip to Rio in June when they played against the Brazilians in a friendly at the newly rebuilt Maracana.

The squad stayed in the Windsor Atlantica hotel, which overlooks the Copacabana beach, where the players went for a stroll during their down time.

Hodgson encouraged England's squad members to mix with the local population in Krakow during Euro 2012, but the players' security will have to be assessed before the World Cup to determine whether that will be the case in Rio.

Hodgson himself did not seem too bothered about the cancellation of Soccerex, where he was due to give a speech on the week of the World Cup draw.

"To be flippant, I am not that disappointed," the England boss said.

"I heard I was speaking at it but (I am) not sure what I would speak about.

"I don't think it will have any relevance on the World Cup in June 2014.

"There have been some problems over there as we all know. We can't turn a blind eye to that, but we can only trust that the authorities are taking issue with any problems that are taking place over there."

PA