It’s less than a fortnight before the World Cup kicks off. When Brazil was awarded the event in 2007, the country and millions of football aficionados were ecstatic – unlike the Qatar 2022 decision.
The “Cup of Cups” and Rio Olympics was the kickstart the country needed to present itself on the world stage as a serious first world country.
The five World Cup wins of the Seleção are arguably the greatest source of national pride among the 200 million population.
Given the nation’s laid back lifestyle, it was always going to be an uphill battle for organisers, but many felt it would be a carnival only this time it would be done wearing a suit.
Those casual assumptions have taken a beating in the last 12 months, with delays to stadiums and street protests, including the largest in a generation during last June’s Confederations Cup.
As have most, I shrugged this off as business as usual for a major sporting event, but it has since become apparent that Brazil is simply not ready.
It was announced that the roof of the stadium hosting the World Cup opener on June 12 in Brazil will not be finished. In all, three stadiums weren’t finished by the one-month countdown to the worldwide football tournament as Brazil continues to miss major deadlines.
On top of this is the continuing ether of violence. In Rio, the number of fatalities in conflict with the police rose by 69 per cent from 2013 to 2014 and this month 80 per cent of Brazilians admitted they are afraid of being tortured by their own police on arrest.
Brazilians feel most unsafe in the hands of authorities, almost twice the international average of 44 per cent. The areas worst affected are the favelas where it’s becoming increasingly clear that the police pacification units are a PR move, to hide rather than to solve the violence. In all there will be 170,000 security personnel working across the country – a 22 per cent rise form the South Africa World Cup in 2010.
“What we are seeing in Brazil is an aggravation of ordinary living conditions as cities prepare for the World Cup,” professor Christopher Gaffney of Fluminense Federal University said.
“Violence is a part of daily life, to assume that this will go away because of the World Cup is irresponsible and naive.”
The violence has permeated into football. More people perish in stadium violence and supporter clashes in Brazil than in any other country – 30 in 2013 – and players are not safe either. This was evident in the attack last month on the Corinthians training camp in São Paulo by 100 angry fans who assaulted the team, with some throttled. This is the very same training facility Iran will use during the World Cup. Even the Brazil squad’s bus was attacked this week by protesters, such is their disdain for the World Cup.
Brazilian auditors found that $500 million of the World Cup budget has disappeared as receipts show multiple charges for the same service or overpayments on white elephants such as the Arena da Amazônia in Manaus, where three people have died preparing the stadium. With no major domestic league teams in the city, the venue is thought unlikely to be filled again for football.
Initially public protests had nothing to do with football. Until last June, most were small, relatively peaceful and focused on single issues such as bus fares, healthcare, evictions and corruption. But FIFA’s mega-events have become a lightning rod for these and many other issues.
“Não vai ter Copa!” (No World Cup) is now a popular chant at almost every rally, which is a real worry in a country where Recife’s state of Pernambuco police held the government ransom by going on strike this month, demanding a 50 per cent pay hike.
“The country can fill up with tourists and receive all the benefits and Brazil’s own people are spoiling the party,” said Brazil legend Pele.
Even King Pele, the Brazilian football icon, has lost a great deal of respect among the public for an approach that has come across as blind defence of his many corporate sponsors.
However, you have to argue that he may have a point. Sure, people need to know about the plight of the people, but at what cost? Brazil needs the World Cup to be a success. Fail and so do the fortunes of the very people that are protesting.
“This is a moment of unrest and uncertainty – both in terms of the cup and also society,” 1970 World Cup winner and social commentator Tostão said.
“The cup will happen. That’s certain. But what is success? For the Brazilian people, the cup has meant large public spending, limited lasting infrastructure and a lack of social projects, but for the government a successful cup means something completely different. We’re all in doubt right now because we just don’t know what’s going to happen during the cup.”
I just hope that while international visitors drink caipirinhas and watch the football, the people of Brazil are not forgotten.
Rishav Verma
Guest
Well written post Shaun, I for one heavily empathize with the Brazilian people. Billions of dollars wasted on a massive event where local taxation is high, infrastructure is poor, crime is rife and poverty is abundant. While i'm sure Brazilians are deep down very proud that they have won the right to host what I believe will be the closest World Cup in history, they are one hundred percent correct to doubt the long term benefits of the event. Looking back at South Africa, one can argue that post the World Cup, the country is in a worse state than before, Xenophobia is at a tipping point, corruption is still the countries highest exports and the crime rates continue to soar. Brazil's bid was just poorly timed, simple as that. It'll be interesting to wait and see the outcome of this cup, in the mean time we have this bad boy to focus on: http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27652181
Titus
Guest
Wtf? I like you Nordster but you have no idea.
Shaunvdl
Roar Rookie
@Nordster, While an opposing view is always welcome for a good discussion, it's a difficult position to hold that the migrant workers have been given a massive opportunity to work in qatar. There is a host of information that isnt available unless you are on the ground, managing the labourers. Information like, how many hours a week they work, days a week they work, what times, what temperatures, in the shade? Is it safe? Are they given decent accomodation with AC? Are they being fed properly? How much did they pay for their visa/flight to qatar? How much are they earning? How much does it cost to live there? How much does it cost to send money home? Are they being paid on time? Are managers holding their passports? Once we have the answers to these basic questions we can have a real discussion about whether its morally right or wrong. However, what we do have is stats. Stats that say Nepalese (and others) are dying of sudden heart attacks and other work related injuries at an alarming rate. That isnt right. One can work backwards to find out the cause, or find and interview people working there. I am going to try and get as much info on the matter and when I do, you'll be the first to know.
HardcorePrawn
Roar Guru
Because a right-wing media outlet (especially one such as the UK's Telegraph) is more likely to see the point of view of big business than be overly concerned with workers' rights. If I'd said "I read it in the Guardian..." that would just send you into fits of apoplexy wouldn't it? Despite your accusations of laziness, I have looked into this state of affairs on a number of occasions and found nothing bar propaganda pieces issued by the Qatari government, FIFA or the construction companies involved that support your argument. Please provide some verifiable evidence in support of your argument if you can.
nordster
Guest
Why does whether the media outlet is "right wing" or not have anything to do with it? Why would right wing outlets be any more or less likely to air the Qatari perspective than any other? I think your frames of reference are far too narrow. Like i said, lazy..... And of course as u have already confirmed, any views other than what u are currently familiar with are just "propaganda"... So why even look, huh?
HardcorePrawn
Roar Guru
Ah yes, you're the one who posts the anti-union diatribes. I recognise you from other threads now Nordster. I'm really not sure where you're getting this alternate point of view regarding the construction of these stadia. Even the UK's Daily Telegraph (the most right-wing MSM outlet I can think of) have been condemning the living and working conditions for Qatar's migrant workers.
nordster
Guest
Propaganda pieces to one is something else to others...to me biased unionist 'exposes' are propaganda also. Thats where the guardian's story comes from.... By your and Ben's logic, 99.9999999pc of Australians condemning Qatar have no qualification to do so. Yet the condemnation continues all the same. For all we know Ben is an occasional visitor, tourist ....or preconceiving agitator;) At least i seek out the alternate point of view. And not people who have been there in the past, but folks who are there now and have always been. If you've not heard these opinions thats your own fault....and all too typical for lazy media consumers. Your immediate reaction to any opinion from Qataris and also many migrant workers themselves, is to immediatly dismiss.
HardcorePrawn
Roar Guru
So Ben here is writing from Doha, (and Shaun also lives in neighbouring UAE) but you say you know more about what's going on on the ground there because you've spoken to some people that have been there in the past? You'll forgive me if I'm not convinced by your credentials Nordster. I've yet to read or hear from anyone that states what's going on in Qatar benefits the migrant workers. Even propaganda pieces from Qatar and FIFA tend to gloss over this aspect. FIFA have even been making noises about the decision to appoint Qatar as a World Cup host being a mistake.
nordster
Guest
Even better, I listen to people who have spent more time there and know more about the issue directly than both of us combined, i am guessing. So thats an (irrelevant) No... Funny how in all the reaction to the world cup in Qatar, most never seek out their points of view.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Have you spent time here, Nordster?
nordster
Guest
Yes Ben and u should then know they are improving all the time. The scrutiny of having the cup will improve this. They are still a developing nation and culture all the same...much of the managerial capacity is imported as well...its only when after say a generation of that filtering through completely can u start making like for like comparisons with the west. Qatar are starting from a point of being developing and transitioning to something better. Old ways dont change overnight....folks who stay in Doha long enough will say the same by and large.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Nordster, Qatar is not a developing nation and has both the wealth and managerial capacity to maintain high safety standards. It is a question of attitude. I am writing this from Doha for what it is worth.
nordster
Guest
Or alternatively they are ignored by virtue of their low skill and socio economic background. I like that Qatar at least offer them opportunity, much like the west did back in their development phases. How does our record back then compare to their's now? Accounting for all eventualities on major contruction projects should be considered diligent, even if that somewhat morbidly includes deaths. Given they are a construction industry in its infancy....using low skilled labour from countries with poor health outcomes as a starting point...i think the deaths may actually be low when all factors are reasonably considered. But yes go on applying your western standards to qatar...apples and oranges...
AR
Guest
Garbage nordster. It's not a "western standards" argument - it's a basic human rights issue. I've personally seen the death budgets for construction jobs in the UAE, and I've seen the woeful conditions they live and work in. Blithely suggesting "well, they're from poor countries and should value the work opportunity"...utterly misses the point. These people are exploited by virtue of their socio-economic background.
nordster
Guest
"looking" ...another westerner getting lost in the "optics" The long term trend in the west is away from liberty....and i have a sneaking suspicion the Russian people have had their fix of authoritarianism and are over it. They are also free of the drag of western style, swing with the breeze, populist democracy. Onward and upward from there :)
nordster
Guest
When people incur debts to go and travel to work somewhere, then they are subject to the laws of that country. Calling them "slaves" and "forced service" does not make it so. They're contracted workers with obligations they sign on for.
nordster
Guest
Assumptions....by western standards im sure the conditions do look appalling to some. By their own home standards not so much. Which is no argument against improving things...just an acknowledgment of the reality on the ground there.
nordster
Guest
Is that the extent of your reading on the topic?
nordster
Guest
"assume" is a little dangerous....there are literally hundreds of thousands of migrant workers in Qatar. Don't assume all of the deaths are industrial accidents.
Shaunvdl
Roar Rookie
very true AR. I live in Dubai and it was very bad here till there was international attention brought to the subject. Qatar is a country that is going through the same process and lets hope they improve (or are already improving) the working conditions today. Far too many people dying from sudden heart attacks