This morning FIFA have responded to various reports suggesting that the Confederations Cup currently going on in Brazil, will be abandoned after violent riots intensified over the last 24 hours across the South American country.
Soccer?s world governing body have said the tournament will not be abandoned after violent protests have continued to erupt over the past 24 hours.
Last night in Sao Paulo one protestor was killed after being hit by a car driven into a crowd. And CBN radio and Estado de Sao Paulo have been suggesting that the tournament could be cancelled as severe demonstrations? and unrest continue.
It was estimated that over 1 million protestors took to the streets on Thursday night, as people hit out at the government over corruption, rising prices and a lack of investment in services for the public.
Over 80 cities have now seen protests and some of the teams competing in the Confederations Cup have aired their unease at the violent anti-government demonstrations.
But when will the protests end?
It doesn?t seem like anytime soon. Police have clashed with the crowds but the number of protestors continues to grow and they certainly have the upper hand on the authorities. Originally the protests began after the government announced a price hike for bus and metro services in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Now it has become much more than that.
Several soccer players have come out in support of the protestors, with Brazilian internationals David Luiz and Lucas Leiva leading the way.
Although they both called for peaceful protests, the nature of the demonstrations against the Brazilian government are becoming more violent.
While Chelsea defender David Luiz had this to say, as Brazil booked their place in the semifinals of the tournament, and face Italy on Saturday afternoon in their final group game.
The people have the right to express their opinions and to protest when they are not happy with what is happening in their country. That?s the only way to call attention to what is wrong. I don?t live in Brazil, but I love my country. The Brazilians love their country and that?s why these protests are happening.
But when should FIFA step in and move the teams away from an unstable environment which is set to get worse before it gets better? That is a difficult conundrum to unravel.
World soccer?s governing body should not ignore the real issues that are affecting the people of Brazil. But it can?t help the situation tangibly.
One banner during Spain?s 10-0 demolition of Tahiti at the?Maracana Stadium on Thursday read, ?We want hospitals and schools in FIFA standards.?
Brazilians are upset that their government is spending over $16 billion on stadiums and infrastructure for a sporting event, yet other areas of the nation are being left woefully underfunded and neglected.
Like I said, FIFA can?t do much about it. But given the trouble and unrest and with stadium projects still being completed in plenty of cities, should the 2014 World Cup happen in Brazil next summer?
It has to.
Now the stadiums are being built and the money has been spent by the government, there is no turning back.
But maybe FIFA wishes there was, after the Confederations Cup regurgitated the huge number of social and political issues troubling the Brazilian people, government and their nation.
But for now, let the games continue.
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