Former Brazil striker Romario has called on organisers of the 2014 World Cup to hold an inquest looking into "excessive spending and corruption" surrounding the tournament.

Various demonstrations have taken place around stadia ahead of and during games, with many Brazilian citizens angry at the costs of hosting the showpiece event.

"When it was announced that the 2014 edition would be hosted by Brazil, I celebrated a lot," Romario, who now works as a politician in his homeland, is quoted as saying by Goal.com. "I had pointed out two things: Brazil had conditions not only to host the World Cup but also to organise the greatest one.

"I remain attached to the first idea but, soon after we got the hosting rights, I gave up the second one due to the different issues. Things didn't happen the way they should have. We've had problems, a lot not seen by the public or international media and the tournament isn't going to be the best of all time.

"I don't want to make things bad but we need to have a post-tournament inquest. You saw the Confederations Cup protests last year, which showed the problems in Brazilian society, but now, with the success of the World Cup, all these problems, the excessive spending and corruption has been pushed to the background."

Romario was part of Brazil's World Cup winning squad in 1994.