The Confederations Cup is currently under way in Brazil and chances are it has exposed far more of a complex host nation than FIFA had ever bargained for.
On the pitch, results have been fairly predictable.
Tahiti got flogged, Japan choked yet again, Spain and Italy have impressed in patches and a youthful Brazilian side has reached the final at the revamped Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.
It’s that last point which could give the world game’s governing body further headaches because off the field, a series of dramatic street protests have erupted over the way the country is governed.
In a nation in which widespread economic disparity separates the have-nots from the elite few in power, Brazilians everywhere have taken to the streets to call for reform in a series of increasingly aggressive protests.
At the start of the week, my friend Ash asked me if I planned to attend next year’s World Cup and instinctively I responded that I was.
I can certainly think of worse ways than spending a June afternoon down on Copacabana beach, even if the Socceroos don’t actually end up anywhere near Rio.
But the sheer size and scale of some of the protests currently taking place in this sprawling South American nation have given me cause for second thoughts.
Consider the testimony of journalist James Montague, who found himself caught in the midst of a frightening afternoon of violence during Brazil’s semi-final win over Uruguay in Belo Horizonte.
Montague is an amiable Englishman who reports regularly for CNN and World Soccer, among others, but he’s perhaps best known as the author of the excellent ‘When Friday Comes: Football in the War Zone’.
It’s safe to say that if anyone knows about watching football in political hotspots, it’s Montague, so when even he is disturbed by the protests going on around him, the situation is serious.
Which raises the question of whether it’s morally acceptable to travel to a developing nation like Brazil for the sole purpose of watching football?
When the locals are so disenfranchised they begin to rise up against an increasingly repressive state, does ignoring such problems for the sake of a football tournament make you part of the problem, rather than the solution?
The World Cup long ago transcended sport to become arguably the most significant regular gathering on the planet.
Whatever your politics, the tournament is simply too powerful and generates far too much wealth to change dramatically or disappear completely.
Such is its popularity, that anyone who does choose to stay away out of solidarity will invariably be replaced by a fan willing to ignore on-the-ground sociopolitics in favour of concentrating solely on the football.
Indeed, that’s a common symptom of the modern game; whereby issues like sky-rocketing ticket prices and anti-social policing are swept under the carpet because a steady stream of new fans simply replaces those who are disenchanted enough to leave the system.
So does that make travelling to Brazil to support your national team a good thing or a bad thing?
It’s a common refrain that sport and politics don’t mix, however what that particular cliché ignores is the fact that politics are all around us and affect every situation in our lives.
Many Brazilians will certainly be affected by the World Cup and judging by the rising level of local anger, that’s not necessarily a good thing.
When even Romario lashes out – this is a man who played the game as if he’d never had a single care in the world – then it’s safe to say the World Cup in Brazil is facing a growing number of problems.
So where does that leave Socceroos fans?
Will you be travelling to the World Cup in Brazil? Or do your personal politics make that a difficult proposition?
The floor is open for discussion.
Tadeu
Guest
Since Im brazilian, I have some knowledge about the protests. It started with the increase of the bus fare in São Paulo, and fired up by the violent police repression to the first protests and the publicity that an event as the Confed Cup brings. 95% of the protests are part of brazilian middle class, the main oposite to the current governament. They saw an oportunite to decrease the popularity of the federal governament. The protest itself didnt have a main issue, most of them were actually very good, such as those for a political reform and for better investments in health and education. The problem is that brazilians are misconducted by the media, and think that the WC is only about stadiums and giving people something to forget about real problems and its not all about that. It brought the opportunity of it first job for many poor brazilians (we have one of the lowest unemployment rates among developing countries) also brought some increase to our poor infrastructure (new airports, new roads, new BRT/metro, etc) unfortunatlly its not enough to host a WC but its not like nothing has been done and all the money was “stolen”. In my personal opinion, the time to protest agains the WC here was long gone, since all the stadiums are done and the money is already invested. So is just stupid to let it go or to go against it. We should still get this oportunity to show our demands to the word against the governament, but all in a pacific way and not simply turning the realization of the event difficult. Part of our economy needs the money that the event brings, such as taxi drivers, hotel owners, restaurants, tourist agents, so it is smarter to be a great host as the same time as conscient about our problems. I dont think next year will be the same as it was this year, polls shows that 65% of brazilians still in favor of the WC here, so I dont belive it will be dangerous for anyone. BTW, Ive attended 5 matches in this CC and in none I had any problem with the protests, even in this semi-final. So you all should come, Im sure brazilians will do there best to host you, because, at the end, any of this is our or your fault.
bryan
Guest
You have mates??
Kasey
Guest
I won't be going, simply because I can't afford to go:( I went to SA2010 and had a ball, living and breathing nothing but football for 30 days was such a wonderful experience, wall2wall coverage, meeting random locals & foreigners and talking in our common sporting language was a beautiful experience. I attended many games at Ellis Park that did not feature Australia, and a smile combined with an offer to kick a football around was a great way to spend the time before kickoff. I still remember learning in as many languages as I could the phrases: good luck, please and thank you. Between French, Spanish, Portuguese and English, you cover so much of the footballing world:) Were I to win the lotto, you bet your arse I would be off to Brasil in a heartbeat. Funny how these sorts of articles come up around World Cup time, but rarely at the Olympics or Rugby World Cup time isn't it? Is it because FIFA make such an easy target for the morally outraged and those who desire to be so?
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
As opposed to the fine morals of other corporations? Just this week we've heard disgusting stories of how some of the world biggest retailers & fashion houses - including those in Australia - have exploited the most impoverished people in Bangladesh. Does this stop you from buying their clothes? For decades we've known of slave labour used by sporting goods company, Nike. Does this stop you buying their products? The world's biggest coffee buyers, cocoa buyers - including brands like Nestle, Cadbury, etc. - exploit the farmers of Africa & Sth America. Does this stop you buying chocolate. How about petrol? The oil companies act with moral impunity in their abuse of environments & workers. Do you still buy petrol. Unless you're morally white as snow, it's hard to mount a case for "lack of morals of FIFA".
DGKramer
Guest
There is a reason to go to Brazil. It is because of what the game represents at its best. The rules of the game are such that they can bring together mankind. That is all there is to it. Many have commented on the politics and economics of the Brazil venue as well as in other parts of the world. People can amass in crowds and take to the streets anywhere in the world to make a point but real sustained change needs more than gathering in the street. It is interesting to note the history of civil uprising and result, and therein we might find that especially in todays world of opportunity, that there are potentially better ways to draw attention to economic and political shortcoming, ways that do not result in the age old bane of injury and loss of life. Example: The internet being mightier than the pen being mightier than the sword. The Cup will bring opportunity to Brazil, transient as it is. Go to Brazil my friends, brothers, and sisters, and carry the best of your heart and the stewardship of humanity with you. That is everything you can do anytime, anywhere. DGKramer, author of Dignity and the Pitch
Avon River
Guest
Forget the morality or otherwise re Brazil. To me its the morality of FIFA that is more the issue gnerally.
Professor Rosseforp
Guest
Many Australians won't be going because they are too poor. Recent articles in the Sydney Morning Herald have highlighted that many kids don't even play weekend sport in Australia because they simply cannot afford it. At my workplace there is a programme to help pay for kids in outlying suburbs to get a train to the city to see free cultural exhibits -- so I guess Brazil is pretty low on the wish-list of "places I would like to go in the holidays".
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
@Australian Rules With your current Roar username, and your belligerent & anti-SOCKAH attitude I will never consider you a True Believer. Regardless of how many WCs you attend with other football day-trippers on "The Fanatics Tours"
Australian Rules
Guest
I'm now more confused than ever with what I have to do to become a true believer... Oops...first mistake...I didn't write in in upper case!
realfootball
Guest
Given the unrest and repression in Turkey, and the fact that our U20 team has just been competing there, it seems odd to see this article without a mention of the Turkish regime.
nordster
Guest
Lol freedom of speech is far more important than democracy which itself is the rule of the inactive, lazy mob...usually seduced by dull politicians, one-liners and vote buying. At least most people motivated enough to protest are actually thinking about issues more than those who trade that for merely voting once every four years...
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Agree with others about you possibly writing a couple of articles for the roar, Ben. You often have a very balanced approach and a very refreshing opinion 'from outside'. And it's always very interesting to demystify preconceived and often outdated ideas we in Oz may have.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
"What about going to make a moral statement that mobs in the street shouldn’t be allowed to threaten democratically elected governments. " The cornerstone, upon which democracy is built, is "freedom of expression", which includes the right to peacefully protest against the Government. In fact, the 1st Amendment of the US Constitution protects the right to assemble & petition the government" Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Bob Anderson
Guest
What about going to make a moral statement that mobs in the street shouldn't be allowed to threaten democratically elected governments. We're seeing this phenomena more and more, such as in Turkey for example, and now in Brazil. Even in the US a couple years ago with the "Occupy" hooligans. If a country has regular, reasonably free and fair elections, then mobs shouldn't be in the streets they should be organizing to win the next election. I think its time governments are allowed more leeway to crack down on this stuff. If you can vote, do it that way instead of having a mass tantrum in the streets.
John
Guest
Inequalities are one thing, having enough money to survive is another.
AdamS
Roar Guru
"The most significant regular gathering in the world..." Good lord, get a grip. It's a football tournament...
Dean
Guest
It's not hard to travel and support the lower rungs of the community. Steer clear of McDonalds, Coke, Bob's, FIFA official sites and the standard corporate nasties and chill in an authentic Brazilian bar with some locals. Eat where the locals eat, drink where they drink and hang out where they hang out. Grab a pineapple juice from a local stand, grab a beer off the kids selling them in the street (at least during carnivale they were) and go for the most local brands for everything that you can find. Sure, you'll have to fork out for a bus fare and a match-day ticket to 'the man', but if you spend your money wisely with smaller, local businesses, you can avoid the guilty feelings. Stay in a hostel or bnb rather than a chain hotel and definitely don't take a package deal from the Fanatics of whoever's hawking them, it'll be corporate inauthentic nonsense the whole way, if RSA is anything to go by. It's simply too hard to organise a group bigger than 10 or 12 without having to go down that route.
matthew_gently
Guest
I agree. FIFA parasitises their host so completely that the only consolation to the "little people" comes through tourist expenditure.
AGO74
Guest
Hard to argue with the prawn in this instance.
Cameron
Roar Guru
I own a passport but will instead be going to the pub or some other location to drink with mates whilst watching the Socceroos in Brazil. Franko, we are all The True Believers, but we can not afford nor do we all have the time. Its wonderful being in your 40+ isn't it Fuss. Do you have the responsibilty of a 1 year old child? We must all be daytrippers... I may as well not turn up to watch my local team Brisbane Roar...