Years ago, when the FIFA announced that the 2014 world cup would be in Brazil, it appeared to be the perfect location. And why wouldn’t it be? Brazil is the country with the most World Cup championships with 5 and they hadn’t held a World Cup since 1950, when Uruguay became champion after beating Brazil in one of the biggest upsets in the history of sports nicknamed the “Maracanazo”. In 2014, they will have a chance to overcome this defeat that came many years ago.
But what is happening in Brazil right now is no easy matter. People in Brazil have not stopped the protests against the World Cup.
The country of Brazil has spent more than 11 billion dollars in order to have everything ready for the world cup. Most of the stadiums and surrounding areas have gotten very pricey renovations. This has a lot of Brazilian residents furious. They state that the money that is being used for the world cup could have been used for hospitals and education as many of the people that live in this country are poor.
Yesterday, eleven huge inflatable soccer balls with red crosses were placed in Copacabana beach representing protests of Brazilian violence, poverty, and the money spending for the world cup. Protesters have stated that they will not stop protesting until the government does something to help the country.
I have to say that I am a bit surprised with all the protests that have been going on in Brazil even months before the start of the world cup. This is Brazil, the country that loves soccer and that appreciates soccer so much, how can they not want the world cup to be in their country, but you have to understand what many of these citizens are going through. It is not an easy life for many of Brazilians and some have even placed tents to live outside of some of the stadiums showing how seriously they are taking their protests.
It has been informed that the policemen in Brazil have gotten raises of up to fifty percent more of what they usually earn so they can maintain safety in the stadiums and so that they do not start to make their own protests.
It is very sad to see this happen, being a huge soccer fan I see Brazil as the ultimate place to have the World Cup, but this case has shown the reality of what really is happening in Brazil and that it will not be a party for everyone living there.
We are just a day away from the beginning of the world cup and it appears that the protests will not stop. People want to be heard and they will continue to protest until they get the attention they want. We can only hope that the people, fans, and players are safe and secure during the tournament and that the citizens of Brazil can get the help they need.
This could affect how the FIFA chooses their host countries for their next world cups. Qatar is already set to spend an incommensurable two hundred billion dollars for the 2022 World Cup which may spark some frustration in some people as well.
Let’s wish that the government in Brazil does something to help their people, that way soccer fans will enjoy the world cup and the citizens will have their hospitals and schools, and in the end everyone will be happy.
Photo Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images South America
