Brazil risks reputation on WCup and Olympics
Hosts under pressure after collapse at WC venue
RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov 28, (AP): Preparing for the World Cup and Olympics is putting Brazil’s reputation on the line, giving South America’s biggest country a chance to boost its profile while also exposing it to mounting pressure and unrelenting scrutiny.
The deaths of two construction workers at a stadium in Sao Paulo that will host the World Cup opener in 61/2 months highlight the strain of organizing two mega-events under tight deadlines and high expectations.
Violent street protests that began in June during the Confederations Cup — a warm-up tournament for the World Cup — have raised questions about why a country with a slowing economy and stark social inequality is spending $15 billion on the World Cup, and a like amount for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
China and South Africa tried to improve their images by hosting the 2008 Olympics and 2010 World Cup while Russia will try the same at the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi in February.
Ironically, Brazil has a largely positive world image — samba, soccer and sandy beaches — that could be tarnished by trying to do too much.
The accident Wednesday at the Arena Corinthians comes as all the top names in the world game are about to arrive in Brazil for next week’s World Cup draw.
By chance, International Olympic Committee officials were in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday holding two-day meetings, including IOC executive director Gilbert Felli and Moroccan IOC member Nawal El Moutawakel, the head of an inspection team that monitors progress on the games.
“These are events that have a lot of rewards associated with them, but there are a lot of risks if they do a poor job,” said Mark Jones, a Latin American political expert at Rice University in Texas.
“If there is violence or if the infrastructure isn’t sufficient, it could lead to a black eye and undermine the larger goal, which is to show Brazil is a global player.”
Preparations for both events have been plagued by delays, accidents and constant pressure to move faster. No one doubts they’ll both be held, but at what cost, and who pays?
Jerome Valcke, FIFA’s top administrator overseeing the World Cup, scolded Brazil’s politicians early in 2012 with very direct language: “You have to push yourself, kick your (backside).”
He apologized later, but the message was clear. ZURICH, Nov 28, (AP): Cristiano Ronaldo’s match-winning goals for Portugal in World Cup playoff matches against Sweden lifted his country to No. 5 in the monthly FIFA rankings.
Portugal’s 1-0 and 3-2 wins fueled a nine-place jump in the standings published Thursday as rivals played only friendly matches which score fewer points in the calculations.
FIFA set World Cup seedings for the Dec. 6 draw from October rankings so playoff teams would not gain unfair advantage.
Spain leads an unchanged top four from Germany, Argentina and Colombia.
Uruguay is sixth, and No. 7 Italy swaps with No. 8 Switzerland which was seventh for one month to clinch seeded status.
Netherland is ninth and host Brazil rises one to No. 10.
Seeded Belgium falls six places to No. 11, and is now the lowest-ranked of the eight seeds. Rankings 1. Spain (1); 2. Germany (2); 3. Argentina (3); 4. Colombia (4); 5. Portugal (14); 6. Uruguay (6); 7. Italy (8); 8. Switzerland (7); 9. Netherlands (8); 10. Brazil (11); 11. Belgium (5); 12. Greece (15); 13. England (10); 14. United States (13); 15. Chile (12); 16. Croatia (18); 17. Ivory Coast (17); 18. Ukraine (20); 19. France (21); 20. Mexico (24).