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Brazil commission approves Fifa World Cup rules Brazil commission approves Fifa World Cup rules
(about 1 hour later)
A Brazilian congressional commission has approved a set of measures from football's world governing body Fifa for the 2014 World Cup.A Brazilian congressional commission has approved a set of measures from football's world governing body Fifa for the 2014 World Cup.
Among the provisions Fifa has insisted on is that alcohol be sold at all venues in the tournament.Among the provisions Fifa has insisted on is that alcohol be sold at all venues in the tournament.
The measures will now be voted on by Brazil's congress and senate. The measures will now be voted on by Brazil's congress.
Fifa says the World Cup needs special rules, but critics say it is seeking undue influence over internal Brazilian matters.Fifa says the World Cup needs special rules, but critics say it is seeking undue influence over internal Brazilian matters.
The measures would also limit the right of Brazilian students to half-price tickets to matches.The measures would also limit the right of Brazilian students to half-price tickets to matches.
The insistence on alcohol being sold has caused controversy as it is currently banned at Brazilian stadiums for safety reasons.The insistence on alcohol being sold has caused controversy as it is currently banned at Brazilian stadiums for safety reasons.
The country's health minister has urged congress to maintain the ban.The country's health minister has urged congress to maintain the ban.
Brewer Budweiser is a big Fifa sponsor.Brewer Budweiser is a big Fifa sponsor.
'Won't negotiate''Won't negotiate'
"Alcoholic drinks are part of the Fifa World Cup, so we're going to have them," said Fifa General Secretary Jerome Valcke during a visit to Brazil in January."Alcoholic drinks are part of the Fifa World Cup, so we're going to have them," said Fifa General Secretary Jerome Valcke during a visit to Brazil in January.
"Excuse me if I sound a bit arrogant but that's something we won't negotiate. The fact that we have the right to sell beer has to be a part of the law," he added."Excuse me if I sound a bit arrogant but that's something we won't negotiate. The fact that we have the right to sell beer has to be a part of the law," he added.
Alcohol was banned at Brazilian football matches in 2003 as part of attempts to tackle violence between rival football fans.Alcohol was banned at Brazilian football matches in 2003 as part of attempts to tackle violence between rival football fans.
The measures have had limited impact, says the BBC's South American football correspondent Tim Vickery.The measures have had limited impact, says the BBC's South American football correspondent Tim Vickery.
In order to drink, supporters tend to stay longer outside stadiums, areas that are harder to police than the stadiums themselves.In order to drink, supporters tend to stay longer outside stadiums, areas that are harder to police than the stadiums themselves.
Much of the football violence in Brazil stems from club rivalries, our correspondent notes. Fans who follow the national side tend to be wealthier and include more women and families.Much of the football violence in Brazil stems from club rivalries, our correspondent notes. Fans who follow the national side tend to be wealthier and include more women and families.
Health Minister Alexandre Padilha and other members of Congress have called for the ban to be maintained.Health Minister Alexandre Padilha and other members of Congress have called for the ban to be maintained.
During his visit to Brazil, Mr Valcke also criticised the pace of construction of stadiums and said Brazil had not yet improved its infrastructure to the level needed to welcome visitors.During his visit to Brazil, Mr Valcke also criticised the pace of construction of stadiums and said Brazil had not yet improved its infrastructure to the level needed to welcome visitors.
The costs of staging the tournament are spiralling, largely because of poor domestic organisation, our correspondent reports.The costs of staging the tournament are spiralling, largely because of poor domestic organisation, our correspondent reports.
But one area where Brazil's government can flex its muscles is that of sovereignty - which is why beer sales and ticket prices, governed by local law, are now the front line in the tension between Brazil and Fifa, he adds.But one area where Brazil's government can flex its muscles is that of sovereignty - which is why beer sales and ticket prices, governed by local law, are now the front line in the tension between Brazil and Fifa, he adds.