Stadium Violence in Brazil

This blog will focus on the problems that face the upcoming World Cup that will take place in

Brazil from June 14 to July 14th.

Brazil within recent years has undergone drastic economic change with decreased regulation and

the utilization of their vast natural resources. Beginning in the late 1990′s when a new regime

took over the government became a more capitalistic, trading economy. Over the last fifteen

years the economy has created an emerging middle class and has cut the unemployment rate by

more than half. Now Brazil is having an identity crisis to understand the future of their emerging

world power. On one hand the growth in Brazil has been exponential but is only based on the

natural resources within the country. While many economic experts feel as if the Brazilian

economy will crash within the next decade because of a failing education system that is unable to

create adequate workers.

Many questions exist on the horizon of the next World Cup. How will the international

community react to worker protests about conditions of labor in Brazil? How will FIFA cope

with the threat of terrorist attacks? Will the new stadiums be ready by the start of the

tournament? How will the government deal with the increasing crime on international tourists in

Rio de Janeiro?

With Brazil historically being one of the most passionate and competitive soccer countries in the

world fan violence has always been part of the game. Many experts, including FIFA president

Sepp Blatter, thinks that this tension may exist on even larger levels in the World Cup. South

American rivalries in the world of soccer have always had a violent history and with the

upcoming event on home soil many experts feel these racial tensions may boil over.

Within Brazil one violent example recently reminded us of the tensions between even domestic

teams. The article from Bleacher Report states, “Brazil’s president has referred to the scenes as

“shocking;” FIFA has promised “comprehensive security” in an effort to prevent similar

incidents at its upcoming World Cup. After a Sunday match between Atletico Paranaense and

Vasco da Gama was halted for more than an hour as fans from the two Brasileirao sides fought a

pitched battle in the stands, both the national government and world football’s governing body

weighed in on the violence—one in condemnation and the other in reassurance,” (Peters, 1).

This striking example provides an eery reminder that even a seemingly peaceful match can turn

to malice quickly if the circumstances are right. Although the match was probably only an

isolated example it has raised the question of whether the fans will truly be safe. With this fear

the government of Brazil with the guidance of FIFA is attempting to take large steps to ensure

nothing like this happens.

Brazil president Dilma Roussef has stated that the safety of international spectators is her first

goal and she wants to make sure that the fans understand how isolated these incidents are. First

off Brazil will nearly double the police force in all cities, especially around tourist areas in all

major cities for the duration for the tournament. Although Brazil has attempted to take positive

first steps in divulging the tension between fanbases I have a fear it’s all for show. The World

Cup is a truly global event like any other and I feel that the large amount of violence in major

urban areas fused with the racial and historic tension of the fans could logically create a major

security problems.

As well trust in the Brazilian government is at a low within recent weeks as reports of worker

mistreatment have emerged. Over the last three months hundreds of laborers have protested the

illegal hours and extremely low wages they have been provided by the government. These

reports have created tension within the government as the trust of the people has been lost based

on the lengths government officials went to hide this situation.

The path to Brazil 2014 is one of potential glory or unforgettable failure. Growing social and

economic tension have diffused the progress on the stadiums and we are all not just waiting to

see if soccer will take center stage again on June 14 in the Estadio Maracana.