In the latest episode of the 2014 World Cup saga, Brazilian prosecutors are seeking an injunction to block the use of public funds for temporary infrastructure at World Cup stadiums located throughout Brazil. Structures like tents, cabling and communication equipment for broadcasters offer no long-term benefit to society, the prosecutors argue, and therefore they should be paid for by the FIFA, the world soccer governing body. If successful, the injunction could save Brazil almost 1.2 billion reals ∈ taxpayer money, according to the statement released by the Procuradoria Geral da República. Brazil is not served by these expenditures for a private event, they argue, saying: "What is the public interest ∈ paying for these services, if FIFA will be the only holder of their rights and sells them at millionaire prices?"
Brazil is spending about 3.5billiontobuildorrefurbish12stadiumsforthetournament,whichmanyBraziliansthinkshouldhavebeenspentonotherthings,likehealthcareandeducation.Thepublicoutragepropelledmanytothestreets∈JuneandJuly,leadingtothelargestpublicdemonstrationsBrazilhaseverseen.Sincethen,thefinancingoftheWorldCuphascomeundergreatscrutiny.Asidefromtheprosecutor’slawsuit,thesixcitiesthathostedtheConfederationsCupsoccertournament∈Junearealsoseparatelysuingtogetback230millionreals(105 million) spent on temporary structures for the event. The Brazilian Supreme Court has yet to rule on the lawsuit.
FIFA replied that “liabilities related to complementary structures were clearly stated ∈ contracts” signed by the stadium owners ∈2007. It added that the local organizing committees were responsible for several of the temporary structures, as well as hospitality, commercial display areas, food concessions and merchandising.
“In order to further reduce the investment made by the stadium owners ∈ the complementary structures, the local organizing committees and FIFA are reviewing all of the requirements, as they did ∈February 2013 for the FIFA Confederations Cup, when there was a significant decrease ∈ scope.”
Source: The International Business Times (Adapted from http://www.ibtimes.com/, November/2013)
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