Unit 7

Brazil 2014 

Do the ends justify the means? This question is probably in the back of many soccer enthusiast heads. The 20th FIFA World Cup just may be the most exciting international football tournament yet with the likes of many international superstars some of who are already considered to be among the all time greats (yes I'm speaking about you Messi and Ronaldo). The amount of talent that will be showcased all across Brazil from deep inside the Jungle in Manaus to the southern port city of Porto Alegre will be great. Absolutely nothing and nobody can take that away from the world class players eager to represent their nation in this prestigious tournament. What can be criticized regarding the upcoming tournament is the way it has
been handled.

In 2010 the Brazilians stated that the budget for the World Cup would be 10 billion U.S.D. but as of right now the cost has surpassed 14.5 U.S.D. Six of the twelve stadiums are brand new and the other six underwent some sort of renovations. New roads have been built. Mass transit systems have been refined and airports have expanded. Many of the projects listed above have still not been completed and in the words of FIFA President, Sepp Blatter  "They started a lot too late. It is the country which is the furthest behind since I've been at FIFA and moreover, it's the only one that had so much time." 

The Brazilian Government hired private contractors to engage in some of the World Cup projects something that angered many Brazilians. Where was the money really going to? Was it a front set up by the government? The Confederations Cup occurs one year before the World Cup invitation to this tournament is more exclusive. Attendance is only acquired by winning tournaments restricted to your region. Although this tournament is much smaller than the actual World Cup it is a good snapshot almost a rehearsal for the big event. The 2013 Confederation went well regarding overall play and stadium attendance but the public response did not. On June 15th, 2013 a crowd of a mere hundred gathered outside Brasilia National Stadium to protest a rise in ticket prices for public transportation. This original demonstration sparked a national movement of social unrest. It is estimated that a million took to the streets to protest for an even greater cause such as the governmental cuts on public programs to enable the hosting of the international tournament. These protestors were mostly young citizens aware of the situation around them, they were not content with the inflation and corruption associated with the their government. Naturally local media played down the protests to the international community but in today's technology information knows no borders. Brazilian protestors let their voices be heard on social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter, videos were uploaded to YouTube demonstrating police brutality.

Although the standard of living has improved in Brazil over the past ten years there are still thousands living in flavelas while rich corrupt government officials are travelling around the country in helicopters costing taxpayers 1.7 million U.S.D. a year. We currently have under 150 days for the World Cup to begin and as the deadline approaches thousands are also being kicked out of their rag tag houses into the streets. Stadium neighborhoods are being destroyed and people who have been living in their houses for over 20 years are being displaced with no where to go. 

Citations 

"FIFA President Sepp Blatter Rips Brazil's World Cup Preparations." USA Today. Gannett, n.d. Web. 15 Jan. 2014.

Garcia-Navarro, Lourdes. "Brazil's Highflying VIPs Face Backlash Over Air Travel." NPR. NPR, n.d. Web. 15 Jan. 2014.

Gordts, Eline. "Brazil's Olympics, World Cup Preparations Bring Evictions." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 03 Feb. 2012. Web. 15 Jan. 2014.

Phillips, Dom. "World Cup 2014: Brazilians' Rage against the State Will Disrupt the Celebration." The Observer. Guardian News and Media, 20 Oct. 2013. Web. 15 Jan. 2014.