The 2014 World Cup in Brazil is entering its fifth day. The United States will play its first game of the tournament today against Ghana. Meanwhile, protests are continuing on the streets of Brazil. Many Brazilians have expressed fury over Brazil spending an estimated $11 billion to host the cup while the country’s hospitals and schools remain woefully underfunded. In a video taken by the Associated Press on Sunday, a police officer can be seen firing what appears to be a live pistol round at anti-World Cup protesters near Rio de Janeiro’s Maracanã soccer stadium. Police have reportedly also used tear gas, rubber bullets and noise bombs to disperse demonstrators. We go to Rio to speak with sportswriter Dave Zirin, who was tear-gassed on Sunday while covering the protests. He is author of the new book, “Brazil’s Dance with the Devil: The World Cup, the Olympics and the Fight for Democracy.”
Dave Zirin is an author and sports editor at The Nation.
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Many Brazilians have expressed fury over Brazil spending an estimated $11 billion to host the cup while the country’s hospitals and schools remain woefully underfunded”
— but will this not improve the ” image ” of the country ??- Its all about moany – and making money – not people – and it is the same worldwide -#uck the people – they will do little anyway .
In the report I mentioned above – there appeared to be plenty of evidence re match fixing – but fear not FIFA has appointed 4 – repeat FOUR ]] to investigate this problem – worldwide . They were asked were they going to increase that number – but declined to answer and declined the invitation to take part in the programme .
They would appear to be one rotten lot – and can join the many other ”’sports ” that have doping and corruption scandals eg horse racing , and cricket – not forgetting the ” sport ” of cycling .
Soccer was ok once – but now billionaires want to be seen with their trophy teams .
The world cup like most ” sport ” nowadays is designed by the Rich – to keep the peasants happy – mainly a drug – and works well .
As well as being run by an allegedly corrupt association — most of the players from EU anyway are overpaid prima donnas – with cheating now being accepted by most – even the pundits .
If the London Olympic stadium is anything to go by – then the vulture capitalists will descend to mop up what the taxpayer has paid for .
The London Stadium cost £ 500 million – yet a football club – West Ham – got a good deal – £ 15 million and a 99 year lease @ £ 2 million a year rent – quite a bargain – . It needs £ 160 million repairs – but that too will be paid by the taxpayer – with help from Boris of course – ie London lord mayor . Quite a neat deal.
As for sport – money has ruined it – it is win at any cost – and cheating is ok .
In fact threatening injury is ok – .During last winters Test match series – one of Australian team said to an English player — ” get ready to have your arm broken ” ..
Even that was ok with pundits – the guy later apologized .
There will be a programme on fixing soccer games tomorrow night on C4 TV UK |@7.30 BST.
Should be interesting .
Channel 4 [ C4 ] is available worldwide – unlike BBC