Romario Stands up to FIFA

One of the troubling oddities that emerged from the recent additional scrutiny of FIFA was one demand in particular. FIFA demand exemption from paying taxes in the country where the World Cup is hosted.

After their failed bid for the 2018 tournament, this anomaly was brought to the attention of the world by English MPs.

However in advance of the Brazil World Cup in 2014, one former player has decided to take a stand on FIFA’s ever increasing wish list after FIFA started demanding that Brazilian law be changed to meet their needs.

Former Brazil football star Romario has said FIFA must not be allowed to dictate changes to Brazilian law ahead of the World Cup in 2014. Romario announced his intention to enter politics in September 2009.

Now a congressman for Brazil’s Socialist Party (Partido Socialista Brasileiro), he has been particularly irked by the latest FIFA demand to eradicate the system that guarantees half-price tickets to students and senior citizens.

The Brazilian congress is currently debating a bill about FIFA’s conditions for the tournament.

Romario was a star in the 1994 World Cup but his former glory has not led to his forgetting the less well off in Brazilian society, a country where disparities of wealth between rich and poor are among the highest in the world.

He was speaking on a visit to Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana stadium, which is being refurbished for the tournament. He expressed the view that concern for the corporate sponsors and FIFA’s bank balance might preclude ordinary Brazilians from participating in the tournament.

“If FIFA is not put in its rightful place it will soon have more power than our President. FIFA could earn a little bit less so that the Brazilians can take part,” he told journalists.

He added that FIFA could easily afford the scheme estimated at around $100m.

The outspoken star has been even more political and critical through his personal Twitter account.

“Brazil needs to stop this business of becoming a slave of FIFA. The sovereignty of the country must be respected. It is not going to be a World Cup for the Brazilian people,” are among some of his twitter messages.

Romario also warned that the promised improvements to Brazil’s infrastructure including airports and urban transport, were behind schedule.

Last month FIFA President Sepp Blatter wrote to Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff about delays in the building of new stadiums and infrastructure around the tournament.

The fractious relationship between Brazil and FIFA now seems to encompass FIFA’s financial and  legal demands with football’s world governing body demanding total control and legal exemptions.

Fans will not be surprised to know that money as well as power lie at the root of FIFA’s demands.

An as yet unpassed ‘World Cup Law’ covers the protection of trademarks, television rights and the sale of alcohol in stadiums. FIFA is demanding its immediate enactment to satisfy corporate sponsors, seeking to ensure a decent return from their investment.

In South Africa, many local traders objected as they were exiled to a zone well away from stadia to ensure corporate sponsors could sell officially licensed goods without competition.

The battle lines are now well drawn. Who will blink first?

Related:

Former Sounders Opponent to Stand for Brazilian Parliament

Blatter Says South Africa is Ready – March 2010

Impoverished South Africans get 120,000 free World Cup tickets – August 2009