For many England fans whether we would actually make it to Brazil 2014 was in question, due to our performances on the pitch, however now, demonstrations in Sao Paolo where the event is being held, look like it may not go off as easily as expected. Anti-World Cup protests have erupted in the city as 1,000 demonstrators riot over the fact that so much money has been invested in this event when it should be invested in health and education services as well as public transport which are badly lacking across the country.
Those in the suburbs of the city, including many families were affected as protesters threw flames and Molotov cocktails at police who were in turn using tear gas and rubber bullets. However similar demonstrations were also seen in cities across the country, where a large portion of the population is considered poor. According to many of the opponents of the world cup, they are being prevented from seeing the benefits of their country’s rapid economic boom. Huge sums of money have been invested however health and education services and better transportation and housing are being neglected.
It’s easy to see why people are feeling disaffected, countries which have seen huge investment, when these event have taken place, don’t really have the best record post events. Africa for example who were the last country to hold the world cup completion, don’t really have a lot to show, with their health, education and transport services still underfunded. People who were displaced from their homes, when the stadiums were built have been largely ignored and so far the only use from the stadiums was the 2013 African Nations. It hasn’t been shown yet, for these places to make money and go some way to paying back the cost of being built, and the effect on local areas.
Although in Brazil, it is an important message people are trying to get across, it runs the risk of being disregarded when demonstrations descend into chaos. However undeterred there are a number of protest plans in the run up to the 2014 World Cup and during. However, even if events pass unhampered during the event, scrutiny of these events being held in developing countries won’t cease, if recent events in Qatar which is hosting the 2022 are anything to go by. Reports of a high deaths of foreign nationals working on the stadium is cause for concern. Coupled with the controversial decision to change the time of year the competition is being held to combat the weather will leave many people thinking that perhaps it’s better to host events such as this in countries which have the stadiums and infrastructure already?
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