RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) ― FIFA president Sepp Blatter on Monday declared the Confederations Cup a success despite clashes between police and protesters near some matches.

As host nation Brazil was beating Spain in Sunday’s final of the 2014 World Cup warmup tournament, police officers were using tear gas canisters and stun grenades outside Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana Stadium.

Blatter said he was “not going to discuss” police actions to repel protests outside some of the grounds in Brazil over the last two weeks.

“Thanks to all those who have helped to make this competition such a success despite ... of all this unrest and protests,” Blatter said. “I am happy to come to the conclusion now, with the sporting results and also ― with at least the impression that ― the social unrest is now resting. I don’t know how long, but it is now resting.”

Many of Brazil’s anti-government protesters expressed anger at the lack of investment in public services compared with the billions of dollars being spent on next year’s World Cup.

Tear gas may stop World Cup matches

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) ― World Cup matches in Brazil next year will be stopped if tear gas from protests outside stadiums affects players.

The Confederations Cup, which serves as a test event for the 2014 World Cup, witnessed clashes between anti-government protesters and police outside some stadiums.

FIFA won’t tell the security officials to avoid a repeat of scenes where police were using rubber bullets, stun grenades and tear gas close to stadiums.

“That’s not for me to decide on security, that’s an issue for the government,” FIFA secretary-general Jerome Valcke said on Monday.