Sepp: Brazil might be a mistake

by BarrileteCosmico Fri Jul 19, 2013 12:27 am

FIFA PRESIDENT Sepp Blatter said Brazil might have been the wrong choice as host of the 2014 World Cup if the tournament is affected by social protests like those as at the Confederations Cup last month.

Hundreds of thousands of Brazilians took to the streets during the warm-up tournament in June, demanding better public services and expressing their anger over the costs to stage the World Cup.

"If this happens again we have to question whether we made the wrong decision awarding the hosting rights,'' Blatter said.

FIFA spoke with the Brazilian government after the Confederations Cup, and Blatter said he'll discuss the issue again with Brazil President Dilma Rousseff in September.

"We didn't do a political debriefing, but we did emphasise the fact of this social unrest being there for the entire duration of the Confederations Cup,'' he said.

"The government is now aware that next year the World Cup shouldn't be disturbed.

"To me, these protests were like alarm bells for the government, the senate, the parliament. They should work on it so that this is not going to happen again. Though protests, if peaceful, are part of democracy and therefore have to be accepted ... we are convinced the government, and especially the president, will find the words and the actions to prevent a repeat. They have a year to do so.''

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Blatter was speaking at the start of a two-day conference on sports, media and economy set up by German great Franz Beckenbauer in Austria. FIFA later verified the comments were accurate.

The Confederations Cup, which was won by Brazil, angered citizens who are upset with the billions of dollars spent on the tournaments while they endure underfunded schools and hospitals.

Protesters aired a wide spectrum of grievances, including the high cost of hosting the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The protests were originally organised by university students before spreading across the country, including tournament host cities Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Fortaleza and Belo Horizonte.

"It's not we who have to learn lessons from the protests in Brazil - politics in Brazil have to do that,'' said Blatter.

"FIFA cannot be held responsible.''

Read more: http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/fifa-president-sepp-blatter-says-brazil-might-be-wrong-choice-to-host-2014-world-cup/story-e6frf423-1226681193867#ixzz2ZRVdADR6

http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/fifa-president-sepp-blatter-says-brazil-might-be-wrong-choice-to-host-2014-world-cup/story-e6frf423-1226681193867#.Ueh5lKxpm1k

by rwo power Fri Jul 19, 2013 12:43 am

Another problem seems to be that Brazil will be going to be extremely costly for the fans, not only because of the tickets, but also due to the long distances:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/jul/18/world-cup-2014-ticket-prices

And if the local fans don't get discount prices like in South Africa (allegedly locals got tickets priced from 14 GBP upwards), the unrest might get even more pronounced.

by BarrileteCosmico Fri Jul 19, 2013 12:55 am

At least in 2018 the Russian dictatorship will repress any such demonstrations ensuring Blatter gets his tranquility Smile

by MarcoReus Fri Jul 19, 2013 1:06 am

its ashame england isnt hosting, they have quality stadiums and easy to travel for fans

by Ganso Fri Jul 19, 2013 1:07 am

I believe that this will be one of the best WCs ever on the field, but it is being terrible off the field.Huge amount of PUBLIC money going into stadiums, close to 0 "wc legacy" for the society, expensive tickets etc

by Art Morte Fri Jul 19, 2013 7:28 am

It is looking like a mistake, but one I actually don't blame Blatter and FIFA that much for.

Brazil won the right to host the 2014 tournament in 2007. It's difficult to foresee these sort of public unrest problems 6-7 years ahead. FIFA shouldn't be blamed for that. Also global economy was still doing strong when Brazil were bidding and won the right, so from that point of view it's difficult to blame anyone for being more optimistic about Brazil's readiness to take the World Cup expenses in their stride.

Of course problems like corruption were obvious already back in 2007, but I got to say that if I were deciding in 2007 should Brazil have the World Cup in 2014, I would have voted 'yes'. After all it just feels right for a major footballing country like Brazil to host the World Cup, doesn't it? And it's kind of sad that it's proving to be so controversial in the end.

by Grooverider Fri Jul 19, 2013 8:02 am

Art Morte wrote:It is looking like a mistake, but one I actually don't blame Blatter and FIFA that much for.

Brazil won the right to host the 2014 tournament in 2007. It's difficult to foresee these sort of public unrest problems 6-7 years ahead. FIFA shouldn't be blamed for that. Also global economy was still doing strong when Brazil were bidding and won the right, so from that point of view it's difficult to blame anyone for being more optimistic about Brazil's readiness to take the World Cup expenses in their stride.

Of course problems like corruption were obvious already back in 2007, but I got to say that if I were deciding in 2007 should Brazil have the World Cup in 2014, I would have voted 'yes'. After all it just feels right for a major footballing country like Brazil to host the World Cup, doesn't it? And it's kind of sad that it's proving to be so controversial in the end.

Wrong, economists knew of a worldwide 'economic slowdown' as early as 2004/2005.

Blatter should just step down to be fair, he continues to make disastrous decisions.

by Art Morte Tue Jan 21, 2014 6:58 pm

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25823367

The pressure is on Brazil to be ready to host this summer's World Cup, says Fifa general secretary Jerome Valcke.

Valcke made the comments during an inspection tour of Brazil, where some of the 12 stadiums remain unfinished.

The Frenchman changed a planned visit to Manaus, where England will play their opening game against Italy, to go to the Curitiba venue which is heavily behind schedule.

"Brazil has no choice. Brazil has to be ready," said Valcke.

A Finnish news site says that Valcke indicated that the Curitiba stadium is in danger of being dropped out as a WC venue. Four group stage matches are planned to be played there.

by sportsczy Tue Jan 21, 2014 7:06 pm

Brazil isn't suffering from an economic slowdown... overall, it's booming like India, Russia and China. The issue is that the distribution of wealth is not good. Very little middle class. It's part of the transition into becoming a truly developed country... everyone goes through it. Corruption is the biggest killer of such transitions however.

As far as the WC... Brazil has the WC in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016. You can't blame FIFA only for being bullish on the country's ability to host a huge international event.

I'll also add that, typically, you hear about all these issues before such events. And then when the even starts, everyone seems to get caught up in it and everything works out...

by Ganso Tue Jan 21, 2014 7:28 pm

As I said before,the WC will happen and the stadiums will all be ready, FIFA are creating a bit of drama on the stadium part...the HUGE problem is the airports, and the infrastructure from the cities.we arent ready for this.the fans will go through hell when they come here, mainly the ones from outside south america.

the exact opposite should be considered for the Olympics though, the city of Rio is ready, but not the stadiums, gymnasiums or whatever you call it.

by Catracho Tue Jan 21, 2014 9:41 pm

Im not surprised.

Brasil shouldn't have never been awarded the World Cup. df is a stadium in Brasilia gonna be used for after the World Cup?? ffs Brasiliense e Uberlandia get an average attendance of like 300 people per game and they're the biggest clubs in Brasilia.

I'm prepared to see increasingly more gripe as the World Cup approaches closer.

by elm_baraja_shaman Tue Jan 21, 2014 10:01 pm

u basically need about 8 stadiums to host the world cup right? they have completed 6 so far andare on course to finish the rest, I think Brazil will host a successful world cup,

so much was said about South Africa too and they delivered...

by Art Morte Tue Apr 29, 2014 12:19 pm

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/olympics/27201384

Not, directly anyway, linked to the World Cup, but the vice-president of the International Olympic Committee is saying that the preparations for the 2016 Olympics in Rio are the "worst ever". Gives a further indication of how Brazil is struggling with these major events.

The IOC has taken "unprecedented" action by placing experts in the local organising committee to ensure the Games go ahead.

"The situation is critical on the ground," he said.

Coates said that construction has not even started on some venues in Rio, which will host South America's first Olympics, while infrastructure is significantly delayed and the city has "social issues that need to be addressed".

He added that Rio organisers have the same number of staff - 600 - as London did at the same stage in their preparations for 2012, but did not have the necessary experience.

"No-one is able to give answers at the moment," he said.
"Can they use the car parks in the village for recovery centres? What will be the time to take from this venue to this venue?

"All of those things, they're being fobbed off."

by McLewis Tue Apr 29, 2014 1:31 pm

If Brazil is a mistake, what exactly does that make Qatar? Laughing

by FalcaoPunch Tue Apr 29, 2014 1:42 pm

McLewis wrote:If Brazil is a mistake, what exactly does that make Qatar?

by mr-r34 Tue Apr 29, 2014 1:43 pm

First of 3 mistakes.

by Le Samourai Tue Apr 29, 2014 1:52 pm

@Ganso, Catracho

You guys think there'll be tickets available at the Gate for games in Brasilia? If indeed those stadiums don't regularly fill out and the fact that its probably the most out of the way place to travel to?

@rwo They concentrated the stadiums fairly well around the southeast of Brazil.(other than Fortaleza) Problem is, public transport is pathetic.A car would make say Sao Pauo, Rio Curitiba doable, but if you want to go to Brasilia and not miss an entire day of football doing it, you have to fly.

Flights aren't that expensive, but they'll probably be sold out.

by farfan Tue Apr 29, 2014 2:55 pm

McLewis wrote:If Brazil is a mistake, what exactly does that make Qatar?

a lesser mistake ?

by Guest Tue Apr 29, 2014 2:57 pm

McLewis wrote:If Brazil is a mistake, what exactly does that make Qatar?

Thing is Qatar actually has hospitals where folks dont have lay on floors for ~2 days if they are poor(although they do have other human rights violations)

Folks really dont have a realistic view of Brazil other than a few rich Kaka looking kids on the beach in the south part of the country and super models with footballers.

Life is really rough there. I'm talking large cities where, if you are a tourist, you cant even stop at street lights at night rough.

Residents who get nothing from the government having their housing destroyed to make way for an event nobody needs.

I'm glad the protests erupted during the confederations cup too. There is a sick, digusting, and unrealistic narrative worldwide that everybody in Brazil is happy, simple-minded, watermelon-smiled brown people who are happy to live out their days dacing in their own filth during carnival, and playing football. The truth of the matter is the country is in big crap. Rich getting richer, poor getting poorer, and nobody really caring. Babies dying in their mothers arms in hospitals because doctors cant see them. Just poor infastructure all around, but there is money for a world cup? For an Olympics.......its a joke.

by McLewis Tue Apr 29, 2014 4:29 pm

Betty La Fea wrote:
McLewis wrote:If Brazil is a mistake, what exactly does that make Qatar?

Thing is Qatar actually has hospitals where folks dont have lay on floors for ~2 days if they are poor(although they do have other human rights violations)

Folks really dont have a realistic view of Brazil other than a few rich Kaka looking kids on the beach in the south part of the country and super models with footballers.

Life is really rough there. I'm talking large cities where, if you are a tourist, you cant even stop at street lights at night rough.

Residents who get nothing from the government having their housing destroyed to make way for an event nobody needs.

I'm glad the protests erupted during the confederations cup too. There is a sick, digusting, and unrealistic narrative worldwide that everybody in Brazil is happy, simple-minded, watermelon-smiled brown people who are happy to live out their days dacing in their own filth during carnival, and playing football. The truth of the matter is the country is in big crap. Rich getting richer, poor getting poorer, and nobody really caring. Babies dying in their mothers arms in hospitals because doctors cant see them. Just poor infastructure all around, but there is money for a world cup? For an Olympics.......its a joke.

None of that is particularly specific to Brazil though. All nations of its size and population face the same issues.

by Guest Tue Apr 29, 2014 6:26 pm

McLewis wrote:
Betty La Fea wrote:
McLewis wrote:If Brazil is a mistake, what exactly does that make Qatar?

Thing is Qatar actually has hospitals where folks dont have lay on floors for ~2 days if they are poor(although they do have other human rights violations)

Folks really dont have a realistic view of Brazil other than a few rich Kaka looking kids on the beach in the south part of the country and super models with footballers.

Life is really rough there. I'm talking large cities where, if you are a tourist, you cant even stop at street lights at night rough.

Residents who get nothing from the government having their housing destroyed to make way for an event nobody needs.

I'm glad the protests erupted during the confederations cup too. There is a sick, digusting, and unrealistic narrative worldwide that everybody in Brazil is happy, simple-minded, watermelon-smiled brown people who are happy to live out their days dacing in their own filth during carnival, and playing football. The truth of the matter is the country is in big crap. Rich getting richer, poor getting poorer, and nobody really caring. Babies dying in their mothers arms in hospitals because doctors cant see them. Just poor infastructure all around, but there is money for a world cup? For an Olympics.......its a joke.

None of that is particularly specific to Brazil though. All nations of its size and population face the same issues.

I've never seen folks wait days in American or Canadian ERs.

In fact, according to the CDC, average wait times even in Urban areas of America were only an hour
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db102.htm

Folks in areas in the north of Brazil would kill for that.

by McLewis Tue Apr 29, 2014 8:23 pm

Betty La Fea wrote:
McLewis wrote:
Betty La Fea wrote:
McLewis wrote:If Brazil is a mistake, what exactly does that make Qatar?

Thing is Qatar actually has hospitals where folks dont have lay on floors for ~2 days if they are poor(although they do have other human rights violations)

Folks really dont have a realistic view of Brazil other than a few rich Kaka looking kids on the beach in the south part of the country and super models with footballers.

Life is really rough there. I'm talking large cities where, if you are a tourist, you cant even stop at street lights at night rough.

Residents who get nothing from the government having their housing destroyed to make way for an event nobody needs.

I'm glad the protests erupted during the confederations cup too. There is a sick, digusting, and unrealistic narrative worldwide that everybody in Brazil is happy, simple-minded, watermelon-smiled brown people who are happy to live out their days dacing in their own filth during carnival, and playing football. The truth of the matter is the country is in big crap. Rich getting richer, poor getting poorer, and nobody really caring. Babies dying in their mothers arms in hospitals because doctors cant see them. Just poor infastructure all around, but there is money for a world cup? For an Olympics.......its a joke.

None of that is particularly specific to Brazil though. All nations of its size and population face the same issues.

I've never seen folks wait days in American or Canadian ERs.

In fact, according to the CDC, average wait times even in Urban areas of America were only an hour
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db102.htm

Folks in areas in the north of Brazil would kill for that.

You haven't been to inner city, impoverished area ERs then. It's not as common as Brazil, but it does happen.

This still doesn't answer my original question though.....if Brazil were a mistake, what does this make Qatar?

by VendettaRed07 Tue Apr 29, 2014 8:41 pm

McLewis wrote:If Brazil is a mistake, what exactly does that make Qatar?

by RealGunner Thu May 08, 2014 6:28 pm

Obviously this wasn't mentioned in GL as it didn't happen in Qatar but

A worker died today morning at Arena Pantanal after suffering an electric shock. This is the 9th death while stadium construction in Brazil.

by VendettaRed07 Thu May 08, 2014 6:37 pm

Sad..The ninth in eight years. Whenever someone did fall, get injured or died, the construction stopped for the day, some cases longer. Brazil at least makes the effort to create safer work environments when incidents like this happen and has handled matters appropriately when they did.

But it just pales in comparison to what is happening ln Qatar why many people don't really talk about it.. 342 workers have died in the past 2 years. On pace for nearly 2,000 slave labor related deaths by the time the 2022 WC roles around

lt is just incredibly frustrating that FlFA losses their minds over the protesting in Brazil.. Ponders that they made a mistake because of some burning busses.. But seem to turn a blind eye to this

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