Rio de Janerio: Former Brazil forward Romario has described Fifa as “the real president of Brazil” and said the money spent on stadiums for the 2014 World Cup could have been used to build thousands of new schools.

Romario, who spearheaded Brazil’s attack when they won the 1994 World Cup and is now a congressman, said Brazil had spent more than twice as much on hosting the World Cup as Germany did in 2006 and South Africa four years later.

Romario, who appeared unshaven and wearing a sleeveless top, said the money spent on stadiums so far was enough to provide “8,000 new schools, 39,000 school buses or 28,000 sports courts in the whole country”.

Brazil has been hit by a wave of nation-wide protests as it stages the eight-team Confederations Cup, which is considered a dry run for next year’s World Cup. The amount of money spent on stadiums is among the protestors’ many grievances.

“The money spent on the Mane Garrincha stadium in Brasilia could be used to build 1,50,000 houses for low income families,” said Romario, who said he was speaking as “Romario, the Brazilian” rather than as a footballer or politician.

“The real president of our country is Fifa,” he added. “Fifa comes to our country and sets up a state within a state.”

“Fifa will make a profit of four billion reais which should provide one billion in tax, but they will not pay anything. They come, set up the circus, they don’t spend anything and they take everything with them.”