Sports Minister: World Cup not target of demonstrations in Brazil

Brazil’s Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo said on Thursday (May 15) during a public hearing held by the Senate’s Commission for Education, Culture and Sport that the focus of recent protests has been placed on the country, not the World Cup.

In his view, the demonstrations make specific demands and “usually are more in favor of things such as housing, public education, security and transport. I don’t see any reason for turning demonstrations for these demands into demonstrations against the World Cup and the government,” he said, adding that protests that take a violent turn will be repressed.

Today, some social movements and activists scheduled an International Day for Fights Against the World Cup, mentioning human rights violations that took place during the preparations for the international competition in the host cities. Other demands include the resettlement of the families that have been evicted, the reinforcement of their right to a dignified home, and measures against the sexual exploitation of children and adolescents.

The minister went on to state, however, that this standpoint is “normal” and that large-scale sport events are a great opportunity for host countries, not just in the economic arena, but also for its image, influence and power on the world stage. Rebelo further argued that Germany and South Africa also used the World Cup as a strategy to get rid of the reputation that had been destroyed by historical events like the World War II and the apartheid. According to him, FIFA and the UN take advantage of the dimension of the football competition in the promotion of peace and the fight against racism.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira

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