By David Gold
May 11 – The World Cup law for Brazil 2014 has moved another step closer to being authorised after the country’s Senate approved the Bill, which passed through the lower house of Parliament in March.
The final hurdle now is the signature of Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff (pictured above, right with FIFA President Sepp Blatter), though there are no indications of when it will be put to her for approval.
Though the Senate has now passed the law, they amended the language in the legislation to note that consumption of alcohol is limited to the 2013 Confederations Cup and only in stadiums hosting World Cup games.
The sticking point of the Bill had been overcoming a prohibition on selling or consuming alcohol in stadiums, which is being temporarily lifted for the tournaments as a compromise.
The news will be a relief to FIFA, who have been pressing Brazil to pass the law particularly hard in recent months – as a result of which a dispute erupted between world football’s governing body secretary general Jérôme Valcke and tournament organisers.
Despite the obstacles, it now appears set to be passed two years before the World Cup starts.
Senators Blairo Maggi (pictured above) and Francisco Dornelles both recalled the promises that had been made by Rousseff’s predecessor, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, when Brazil was awarded the global football showpiece in 2007.
“I was part of the delegation that, along with President Lula da Silva, visited FIFA and ensured that Brazil would meet all requirements as host,” Maggi said.
“At the time, as Governors, we knew of the required commitments, particularly regarding the sale of alcohol.
“Today, we are having this discussion, but each state has already agreed to this.”
Dornelles added: “President Lula signed a commitment to FIFA and any repeal on this issue would compromise the country’s image to the world.”
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