Brazil and superstar Neymar were the first to qualify for next year’s World Cup, save for Russia, who got an automatic berth as the hosts.
Winning a record sixth World Cup might help some forget the humiliating 7-1 home loss to Germany three years ago in the World Cup semi-finals.
However, as the soccer team soar, more details are emerging in Brazilian Supreme Court documents describing a corrupt infrastructure in the nation’s sports and its governing bodies.
Photo: EPA
Plea-bargain testimony shows staggering kickbacks tied to the 2014 World Cup and last year’s Rio de Janeiro Olympics, detailed in testimony by executives and former executives of Odebrecht, the Brazilian construction company at the center of a billion-dollar graft scandal.
“People can stand so much, and obviously the hardcore fans continue unbothered,” soccer historian David Goldblatt told reporters. “I think now there are many Brazilians who feel less affectionate toward the game. They know that rather than showing off the best of Brazil, often it’s showing off the worst.”
Testimony shows that at least six of Brazil’s 12 World Cup stadiums were built or financed through graft.
Former Odebrecht vice president Benedicto Barbosa da Silva testified that the company did not want to be involved with World Cup stadiums because there were sure they would become “white elephants.”
Many did, including stadiums in Brasilia, Manaus, Cuiaba, Natal and Recife. Brasilia’s has been used as a bus terminal.
FIFA required only eight stadiums, but politicians, construction companies and sports officials pushed for more.
FIFA and the International Olympic Committee say construction projects are left to local organizers, though sports venues must meet stringent Olympic or World Cup specifications.
“There is an increasing number of literate, computer-savvy, media-connected young Brazilians who are struggling away and don’t buy the football, the sports myth any longer,” said Goldblatt, the author of The Ball is Round: A Global History of Football and Futebol Nation.
Former Rio de Janeiro mayor Eduardo Paes was the moving force behind last year’s Olympics. Now he is being investigated for taking at least 15 million reais (US$5 million) in payments to push construction projects linked to the Games.
In December, Paes unexpectedly called off plans to teach in New York at Columbia University after a court froze his assets as a prosecutor investigated if he waived environmental rules for the billionaire developer of Rio’s Olympic golf course.
He has denied all charges.
Sergio Cabral, a former governor of the state of Rio de Janeiro and an early Olympic booster, has been jailed on corruption charges and awaits trial.
“Brazil’s double-whammy has given us a shove toward a place where people still want to watch sports mega-events like the Olympics and World Cup, but no one wants to actually host them,” Jules Boykoff, who teaches sports politics at Pacific University, told reporters.
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
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
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely