Were you wondering how the Brazil World Cup beer battle with FIFA would end? Well, wonder no more! The nearly one year long saga has finally ended! As you might remember Brazil banned the sale and consumption of alcohol at soccer matches in 2003 because of a history of violence.
There were many intense meetings and angry words spoken over the Beer Battle. Everyone wondered if FIFA would have more power than the Brazilian Congress to change this law. And of course to complicate matters, Budweiser is a big sponsor of FIFA.
Another heated controversy between FIFA and the Brazilian Congress was over whether Brazil could sell half-price tickets to the elderly and students for the soccer matches during the World Cup. This has been the common practice in Brazil but FIFA was not for this.
Well FIFA is indeed very powerful because they won the Beer Battle. Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff announced on June 6th, 2012 that the government is going to temporarily shelve the law banning the consumption and sale of beer in the stadiums during the World Cup. This temporary amendment will also be applied to the Confederations Cup that will take place in 2013.
But I’m happy to report that Brazil did some negotiating and didn’t totally lose the battle with FIFA! Brazil will be allowed to sell 300,000 tickets for half-price to the less fortunate, the elderly, and students! Way to go Brazil!
Brazil is making progress on the preparations for the World Cup. They have pledged to invest 13 billion dollars in stadium, infrastructure and transport. Brazil has received a lot of criticism by FIFA because of delays in their preparation. Last month Sepp Blatter, the President of FIFA reported that Brazil’s preparations for the World Cup are on course despite not following “exactly what they promised”. Well, that statement is at least partially positive isn’t it?
Luis Fernandes, Brazil’s deputy minister of sports announced recently that all the “essential” construction and renovation work on the stadiums, airports and transport infrastructure is on schedule. He also mentioned that the “non-essential” work will not be completed before the opening game kick-off in June 2014. That’s a positive way to look at things!
So that’s the rest of the story! But rest assured, Brazil will do a fabulous job hosting this important event! Brazil World Cup 2014! Go Brazil!
Brought to you by: World Cup Brazil 2014
