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Brazil World Cup beer law signed by President Rousseff | |
(about 17 hours later) | |
Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff has signed into law a bill that in principle allows the sale of beer during 2014 World Cup matches. | Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff has signed into law a bill that in principle allows the sale of beer during 2014 World Cup matches. |
Football's world governing body, Fifa, had demanded a change in Brazilian legislation banning alcohol at football matches. | Football's world governing body, Fifa, had demanded a change in Brazilian legislation banning alcohol at football matches. |
The new bill, setting a number of rules for the World Cup, does not mention any restriction on the sale of alcohol. | The new bill, setting a number of rules for the World Cup, does not mention any restriction on the sale of alcohol. |
Correspondents say state governors may still ban beer sales during the event. | Correspondents say state governors may still ban beer sales during the event. |
Beer sales have been illegal at football matches in Brazil since 2003. | Beer sales have been illegal at football matches in Brazil since 2003. |
The ban was introduced as part of measures to tackle violence among rival fans and hooliganism. | The ban was introduced as part of measures to tackle violence among rival fans and hooliganism. |
Earlier this year Fifa's General Secretary, Jerome Valcke, made it clear that the right to sell beer must be enshrined in legislation on the World Cup in the Brazilian Congress. | Earlier this year Fifa's General Secretary, Jerome Valcke, made it clear that the right to sell beer must be enshrined in legislation on the World Cup in the Brazilian Congress. |
In a visit to inspect venues in the 12 Brazilian cities where matches are due to be played, he was adamant. | In a visit to inspect venues in the 12 Brazilian cities where matches are due to be played, he was adamant. |
"Alcoholic drinks are part of the Fifa World Cup, so we're going to have them. Excuse me if I sound a bit arrogant but that's something we won't negotiate," he said. | "Alcoholic drinks are part of the Fifa World Cup, so we're going to have them. Excuse me if I sound a bit arrogant but that's something we won't negotiate," he said. |
"The fact that we have the right to sell beer has to be a part of the law." | "The fact that we have the right to sell beer has to be a part of the law." |
Brewer Budweiser is a big Fifa sponsor. | Brewer Budweiser is a big Fifa sponsor. |
Internal politics | Internal politics |
Health Minister Alexandre Padilha and other members of Congress called for the ban to be maintained. | Health Minister Alexandre Padilha and other members of Congress called for the ban to be maintained. |
But the new law on the World Cup was approved last month by Congress and signed into law by President Rousseff without any mention of a ban on alcohol sales. | But the new law on the World Cup was approved last month by Congress and signed into law by President Rousseff without any mention of a ban on alcohol sales. |
Analysts have pointed out that the ban on the sale of alcoholic drinks is enshrined in legislation in some of the nine states where World Cup matches will be played. | Analysts have pointed out that the ban on the sale of alcoholic drinks is enshrined in legislation in some of the nine states where World Cup matches will be played. |
By failing to mention the sale of alcohol, the legislation leaves room for opposition state governors and mayors to keep their own ban. | By failing to mention the sale of alcohol, the legislation leaves room for opposition state governors and mayors to keep their own ban. |
Opposition politicians in the Congress have reacted angrily to the final version of the bill, accusing the central government of playing politics with Fifa and passing on a potentially unpopular decision to them. | Opposition politicians in the Congress have reacted angrily to the final version of the bill, accusing the central government of playing politics with Fifa and passing on a potentially unpopular decision to them. |
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