MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Brazil: Furious Dilma fires back at World Cup criticism from soccer star Ronaldo
President Dilma Rousseff hit back over the weekend at criticism voiced by former soccer star Ronaldo over mishandled preparations for the World Cup. In an interview with Reuters Ronaldo lamented that many infrastructure projects promised for the tournament were significantly delayed, scaled-down, or canceled, while some stadiums remain unfinished just over two weeks from kick-off. Read full article
Comments
Disclaimer & comment rulesWhether the WC in Brazil will be an accomplishment also depends on what happens after the tournament.
May 26th, 2014 - 08:09 am - Link - Report abuse 0Chat to South Africans about the broken promises after the last WC. They have stadiums left empty, only to be used once or twice a year.
Hopefully Brazil comes good, if not Sepp Blatter will have more to answer for as it was obviously another inside choice - Brazil had no competition when winning the bid.
Dilma insists on shooting the messenger.
May 26th, 2014 - 08:38 am - Link - Report abuse 0Trying to downplay every critical person doesn't change the fact that they are critical for a reason. And that reason is that Brazil has squandered a golden opportunity to make major changes and build some major infrastructure.
It has happened on Dilma's watch and she can't keep trying to move the goal posts nor pass the buck.
The World Cup will go ahead. But it will not be the showcase that Brazil was hoping for. Nor announce Brazil's entry into the major world powers league.
When the WC starts all eyes will be on the games which, lets face it, could be played in a field. There will be whinging about lack of facilities and news items about problems with crime but to the majority who will watch from the comfort of their own homes it will be fine. They don't live there and they don't have to face the daily problems.
May 26th, 2014 - 10:27 am - Link - Report abuse 0It will not showcase Brazil as anything but a struggling, developing country with more ambition than common sense. There are numerous documentaries going out in the run up to the WCFs showing the real Brazil with all the problems. Brazilians describing it as a country ripped apart by economic and race warfare. The people are right to protest at their governments waste of money on these circuses.
The PT government was in power in 2007 when Brazil sought and won the 2014 WC games. It was a federal government decision - not a requirement from FIFA - to hold matches in 12 different Brazilian States. Much of the infrastructure planned for the WC has been downgraded or cut, and some will simply not be ready in time. Yes, the State governments bear some responsibility, as does Ronaldo himself as a member of the organising committee. But the principal failure here is of the federal government which, through its poor planning, failure to involve the private sector (and private-sector funding), and poor execution has failed to provide much of the promised new and upgraded infrastructure which would have benefited Brazilians. What little is in place has cost vastly more than was originally budgeted for, and the popular perception is of rampant corruption and crippling government inefficiency. Ronaldo is right to voice his frustration - which accurately mirrors the frustration and anger felt by many Brazilians. Shame on both Lula and Dilma.
May 26th, 2014 - 01:02 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Deadlines will continue to be missed, budgets exceeded and corruption will remain rampant. However, it is easy to forget that the sort of crucial development underway stagnated for decades. Thanks to the WC and Olympics these projects are actually taking place and the benefits will be reaped long after the events are gone. In Rio, where I reside, I am referring to new roads, new transport, metro extension, the port revitalization, airport modernization, tunnels, etc. Amazing how so many jump on the negative bandwagon- it's the opposite of 2010 when everyone was overly optimistic. Reality is that we are somewhere in between. It is not a total loss!!
May 26th, 2014 - 01:29 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Historically, Brazil's politicians, much like most politicians around the world, prefer to forget the memory of the costs to the country when one looks at the expense of making Brasilia a new capital and destroying the purchasing power of numerous currency's. 1967–1986 Cruzeiro (novo), 1986–1989 Cruzado, 1989–1990 Cruzado novo, 1990–1993 Cruzeiro, 1993–1994 Cruzeiro real, 1994–present Real. When you reflect on the devastating effects of the results of using fiat currency's and government overspending for a multitude of reasons. Simply, the ends do not always justify the means. I wish Brasil and all Brazilians the best and look forward to my next visit.
May 26th, 2014 - 06:53 pm - Link - Report abuse 0To react like this just shows her lack of political experience when things don’t go how she was promised and made the same promises in turn.
May 26th, 2014 - 07:41 pm - Link - Report abuse 0SHE is the “Manager” as she likes to be thought of it seems, but WHERE IS IT?
Yes, they will have some facilities that they never had before BUT they still lack the basics for any decent society such as education, basic health care for everyone and freedom from criminality (inc the police) and corruption at all levels of government.
Lashing out like this has really done her down.
2 Anglotino
May 26th, 2014 - 07:43 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Who can say what the motivations of the “messenger” are, given that this is an election year, and Ronaldo's statements maded BIG headlines in the elito owned newspapers whose mission is ti unseat Dilma and PT and reverse any gains the whole country has made. Pele has sold out already, as do a lot of people who finally get some money move to the right politically. Ergo, despite his sentimental “love” of country, better inquire about his political connections before characterizing him as a mere messenger. I do mean, WHAT GREAT HEADLINES FOR THE OPPOSITION!!
Funnily enough, A few montns ago, Ronaldo defended the hosting of the WCup in Brazil, as a 'good' decision, and went on to say “ you don't make a world cup with hospitals”, referring to public criticism that Brazil was spending billions to accomodate all of FIFA's requirements while ignoring Brazil's most vital needs. At the same time, Pelé was caught on tape, saying that those who were complaining about the excessive government spending, shouldn't worry, because the “billions of dollars of public funds the government was being accused of stealing, would return to their pockets, via the tourists”....hard to believe, but true...saw them on TV, while they proffered such wisdom. Now, Ronaldo seems to be ashamed at having said so much crap a few months ago, and Pelé has openly admitted that many would-be tourists have decided to cancel their visits to Brazil, on account of the not-so-nice reports being divulged abroad.
May 26th, 2014 - 10:51 pm - Link - Report abuse 0They both pissed against the wind.
Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!