By Andrew Warshaw
November 4 – Brazilian Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo has tried to play down the mood of dissatisfaction throughout the country, highlighted by the mass street protests that marred last summer’s Confederations Cup. Rebelo remains convinced that the party atmosphere at next year’s World Cup, Brazil’s first as hosts for over half a century, will deflect attention away from social unrest.
“I don’t believe we will see demonstrations during the World Cup,” Rebelo said. “I think the World Cup will be protected by the will of the people to be supportive of a great event. The mood will be for partying, not for protesting, when the national teams and the tourists start arriving in Brazil. We must spread the word that the atmosphere at the World Cup will be one of celebration and friendship.”
About one million demonstrators took to the streets at the height of last summer’s protests which were mainly about poor public services and public corruption, but also targeted the $13 billion cost of staging the World Cup.
Rebelo, the government official in charge of preparations, downplayed a recent threat by the country’s largest organized crime group that promised to unleash a “World Cup of Terror” next year.
“Our security system will not take any threat lightly, we will assess all possible risks,” Rebelo said. “But in this case, it’s a threat more against police, not against the public.”
“I’m certain that the threats to the risk areas, such as airports and subway systems, will not be as significant in Brazil as they are during events happening in Europe or in the United States.”
Rebelo expects the remaining six World Cup stadiums to be completed by the December deadline established by FIFA, but acknowledged that not all infrastructure work in the 12 host cities may be finished in time for the tournament next June.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734850512labto1734850512ofdlr1734850512owedi1734850512sni@w1734850512ahsra1734850512w.wer1734850512dna1734850512