Here’s why some Brazilians want to lose the World Cup

[LuckyTheDog]

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil — When Brazil was awarded the 2014 soccer World Cup, it seemed a no-brainer that it would please the nation known as the most skilled and passionate in the world at “the beautiful game.”

Brazil’s love and mastery of the ball has won a record five World Cups, and it’s often described in religious terms, as “a mecca for football,” or simply the “pais do futebol” — "soccerland."

Past victories have been greeted with carnival-like celebrations from favela slums to exclusive beach resorts.

But as the June 12 inaugural game of Brazil vs. Croatia nears, thousands of protesters here are saying they are not only unhappy with the tournament but actually want Brazil’s team to lose miserably.

“I’d love to see the Brazil team lose every game and be thrown out in the first round,” says Marcelo Amorim, a university researcher who has been protesting against the tournament since last year.

MORE HERE: http://wonkynewsnerd.com/some-brazilians-want-to-lose-world-cup/

[Earth Bound Misfit]

1. And the obligatory question...

How many millions are in a Brazilian?

[UTUSN]

2. And the answers are:

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“A victory for the Brazil team would be a victory for the government. It would be a slap in the face of the people,” Magalhaes said. “I’d like to see Brazil lose 10 to nothing. Just think of the repercussions of that.” ....

Many are enraged by the government spending some $11 billion on the tournament, while its schools and hospitals are in desperate need of repair.

Others are angered by the corporate nature of the games.


Soccer’s world governing body FIFA has also come under fire for its aggressive marketing demands. ....


Perhaps his social commentary is not surprising. Even though millions have climbed out of poverty in recent years during successive left-leaning governments, Brazil still ranks among the world's most unequal countries. Many here doubt that souped-up stadiums for global soccer tourneys and the 2016 Olympics are a huge priority. ....

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