FIFA on Monday condemned “all kinds of violence after a man was shot and injured by military police during an anti-World Cup demonstration on Saturday in Sao Paulo.
“FIFA fully respects people’s right to protest in a peaceful manner and as long as the rights of everybody are respected, but condemns any form of violence,” a FIFA statement read after a 22-year-old man was left in a coma after being shot in the neck and groin.
Police said he was carrying an explosive device.
FIFA has already warned Brazil it needs to speed up final preparations for the World Cup after accusing the hosts of starting work too late.
Leaving aside ongoing concerns over stadiums and other infrastructure issues such as transport, FIFA said it retained confidence in the “comprehensive security concept [put] in place by the Brazilian authorities for the Cup.”
“The security concept has worked well during the FIFA Confederations Cup and is built on models used at previous FIFA World Cups,” world soccer’s governing body said.
Saturday had seen anti-World Cup groups call demonstrations in 36 cities against the multibillion dollar cost of staging the tournament. Most were a damp squib, but Sao Paulo saw acts of vandalism with a car set ablaze, as well as a police vehicle and several office windows smashed.
Local media reported 128 arrests following a turnout of about 2,500.
Brazil is braced for social unrest of the kind that marred last year’s Confederations Cup dress rehearsal.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Forget Real Madrid, Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain, the world’s best soccer team — statistically speaking — might be a little-known outfit from the closed central Asian nation of Turkmenistan. Founded last year, Arkadag, named in honor of former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, have been unstoppable, notching up 36 consecutive domestic victories in a run still ongoing. The side have not lost a single competitive match and swept to a league and cup double in their inaugural season — success unthinkable almost anywhere else. However, in Turkmenistan, it could hardly have gone any other way. The energy-rich country is one of the most closed
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping