Waiting for the final go-ahead for the sale of beer in stadiums during the matches of the next green and gold World Cup, the climate has become extremely tense between the leaders of Fifa and the government of Dilma Rousseff. In fact, Fifa has been pressing for many months for Congress to approve the General Law of the Cup, a text that contains the ok to the sale of beer in stadiums, a rule which however contrasts with the Brazilian legislation in force.
In one of the most violent countries in the world, both inside and outside stadiums, alcohol is in fact prohibited during all sporting competitions. As it will be in the next Europeans in Ukraine and Poland, according to what has been established by UEFA. But the Law of the Cup could establish an exception for the World Cup. A standard that could be defined, without beating about the bush, "for company". The American multinational Budweiser will in fact be the official sponsor of Fifa during the event and it is safe to bet that the pressure on the Brazilian government and parliament has certainly not been lacking.
After all, the House commission has already approved the text, while the definitive ok in the classroom is expected for next week. The one on the sale of alcohol is undoubtedly the most controversial and controversial point of the negotiation between Fifa and Congress. The other node, on which, however, an agreement has already been reached, concerns discounted tickets. Considering the enormous social inequalities, Brazil indeed has a program that grants tickets at popular prices to many cultural and sporting events.
A policy that has seen Fifa very reluctant. They are served long and close negotiations to sign the agreement which provides for the sale of 300 admissions at controlled prices for the World Cup and 50 for the 2013 Confederation Cup matches: senior citizens, students and beneficiaries of the Bolsa Família (a state program that helps the poorest families financially) will be able to buy tickets for 25 dollars. If the request exceeds the offer, the lucky 300 will be chosen by drawing lots.
But just when the Dilma government and the dome of world football seemed close to finding the square, the jab of the secretary general of Fifa, Jérôme Valcke, came as a surprise, on the delays in the construction of stadiums and infrastructures: "Brazil's priority is to win the World Cup, not organize it" he said while visiting London. Then she reinforced the dose with a sentence that made the Brazilian government go into a rage: “Things aren't working out and there are many delays. Brazil deserves a kick in the butt."
And while FIFA president Joseph Blatter promptly sent a letter of apology, the Minister of Sport, Aldo Rebelo, just as promptly broke off all negotiations with Valcke. In the midst of the growing controversy of these days, the Fifa secretary has however found an unexpected side in Ronaldo. In fact, the former Fenomeno confirmed that "there are many late works".
What worries Fifa the most are not so much the stadiums, but more the infrastructures: “Brazil doesn't have enough hotels – said Valcke – They are more than enough in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, but if we think of Manaus, more is needed”. While in Salvador de Bahia it is the transport sector that raises many doubts: "The fans could suffer many inconveniences". It is to be hoped that at least hooliganism is not one of them.
