There are fresh concerns about disruption to next year's World Cup finals in Brazil after a global football conference was cancelled because of ongoing protests.

Soccerex, which was due to take place in Rio on the eve of the World Cup draw, has been cancelled because of continuing civil unrest which marred the 2013 Confederations Cup.

The England manager, Roy Hodgson, was among a number of high-profile figures who were planning to attend the event at the Maracana stadium.

FIFA say they are surprised by the decision. The Rio de Janeiro state government claimed the decision was financial rather than for security reasons.

Soccerex CEO Duncan Revie, son of legendary Leeds manager Don Revie, was disappointed by the decision: "This unique and cruel conclusion to our time in Rio was completely out of our hands and everyone who has attended a Soccerex event over the last 18 years will know this is not how we do business,"