Players for World Cup champion Spain say money was stolen from their hotel rooms while they were in Recife for a Confederations Cup game against Uruguay. Soccer's governing body said Thursday police are investigating.
''We know that there was a police report and this was being dealt with by the relevant authorities,'' FIFA spokesman Pekka Odriozola said. ''We have also been in touch with the team.''
Six Spanish players, including Gerard Pique, reported that items, including money, had been taken from their rooms, according to the Spanish newspaper Marca and the EFE news agency. The players reportedly discovered what happened as they prepared to leave Recife on Monday after their 2-1 win over Uruguay the previous day.
A spokeswoman for the Spanish team declined to comment. Police in Recife could not be reached for comment.
Security has long been a major problem in Brazil, where knife- and gun-point muggings, carjackings and armed robberies are facts of daily life.
