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World Cup Security Is Near Soccer History, but Can’t See It World Cup Security Is Near Soccer History, but Can’t See It
(2 months later)
FORTALEZA, Brazil — At first blush, it probably sounded like the best job in Brazil. FORTALEZA, Brazil — At first blush, it probably sounded like the best job in Brazil.
The duties require you to attend World Cup matches and stand within shouting distance of the action that has captivated tens of millions across the globe and sent Brazil into a state of nonstop celebration. Let others check the score on their phones and sneak glances at grainy webcasts; you will be present for sports history.The duties require you to attend World Cup matches and stand within shouting distance of the action that has captivated tens of millions across the globe and sent Brazil into a state of nonstop celebration. Let others check the score on their phones and sneak glances at grainy webcasts; you will be present for sports history.
There is one catch, however: You are not allowed to watch the game. Not even for a minute. And, actually, hmm, the fine print here says you cannot even look at the field.There is one catch, however: You are not allowed to watch the game. Not even for a minute. And, actually, hmm, the fine print here says you cannot even look at the field.
Pity the World Cup’s security guards, the poor souls who are assigned to maintain order inside the throbbing stadiums by keeping their eyes firmly locked on the stands, not the soccer.Pity the World Cup’s security guards, the poor souls who are assigned to maintain order inside the throbbing stadiums by keeping their eyes firmly locked on the stands, not the soccer.
If Brazil wins its sixth World Cup next month, those guards may be the only two dozen people in the country not watching. (Forgive them if they sneak a glimpse, even if their boss will not.)If Brazil wins its sixth World Cup next month, those guards may be the only two dozen people in the country not watching. (Forgive them if they sneak a glimpse, even if their boss will not.)
“If I catch them watching the game, I will have to remind them,” said Karlo Saltoris, the security coordinator at Arena das Dunas, the stadium in Natal. “Their job is to keep the stairs and emergency exits clear.”“If I catch them watching the game, I will have to remind them,” said Karlo Saltoris, the security coordinator at Arena das Dunas, the stadium in Natal. “Their job is to keep the stairs and emergency exits clear.”
Clad in neon orange vests, the guards stand sentry by the field, arms clasped behind their backs, eyes locked 180 degrees away from the grounds where the likes of Messi, Xavi and Neymar are capturing the world’s attention.Clad in neon orange vests, the guards stand sentry by the field, arms clasped behind their backs, eyes locked 180 degrees away from the grounds where the likes of Messi, Xavi and Neymar are capturing the world’s attention.
Of course, stadiums around the world post guards near the games as a security precaution. But the fields of Brazil’s 12 World Cup stadiums make for bigger, brighter stages than anywhere else. The guards assigned to these fields are like art lovers forced to stand blindfolded inside the Louvre, foodies seated at Chez Panisse with empty plates.Of course, stadiums around the world post guards near the games as a security precaution. But the fields of Brazil’s 12 World Cup stadiums make for bigger, brighter stages than anywhere else. The guards assigned to these fields are like art lovers forced to stand blindfolded inside the Louvre, foodies seated at Chez Panisse with empty plates.
The World Cup is not even a week old yet, but the security guards have already been there to miss history.The World Cup is not even a week old yet, but the security guards have already been there to miss history.
When Robin van Persie of the Netherlands scored his extraordinary goal off a flying header, the guards were looking away. When the United States scored the winning goal against Ghana in the 86th minute, the guards were looking away. And then on Tuesday, with Brazil playing Mexico to a draw at Estádio Castelão in Fortaleza, the guards were looking away.When Robin van Persie of the Netherlands scored his extraordinary goal off a flying header, the guards were looking away. When the United States scored the winning goal against Ghana in the 86th minute, the guards were looking away. And then on Tuesday, with Brazil playing Mexico to a draw at Estádio Castelão in Fortaleza, the guards were looking away.
Some of the security guards acknowledged, on the condition of anonymity for fear of losing their jobs, that they managed to steal glimpses of the games from time to time. One guard was spotted with his head turned, a half-grin on his face, when the Brazilian hero Neymar scored the winning goal against Croatia last week.Some of the security guards acknowledged, on the condition of anonymity for fear of losing their jobs, that they managed to steal glimpses of the games from time to time. One guard was spotted with his head turned, a half-grin on his face, when the Brazilian hero Neymar scored the winning goal against Croatia last week.
“You do get to see a little bit,” a security guard in Natal said before the game. “Once in a while you need to turn slightly, just in case the ball is coming on your direction.”“You do get to see a little bit,” a security guard in Natal said before the game. “Once in a while you need to turn slightly, just in case the ball is coming on your direction.”
But for Mr. Saltoris, a man with a military bearing and a permanently squawking walkie-talkie, a flying World Cup ball is no excuse for his guards to neglect their posts.But for Mr. Saltoris, a man with a military bearing and a permanently squawking walkie-talkie, a flying World Cup ball is no excuse for his guards to neglect their posts.
“If the ball comes their way, they are going to get hit,” he said. “If they get hurt, we have paramedics who will take care of them.”“If the ball comes their way, they are going to get hit,” he said. “If they get hurt, we have paramedics who will take care of them.”
Call Mr. Saltoris a stickler, but the FIFA Stadium Safety and Security Regulations handbook makes his case in plain and merciless language. The Stewards Code of Conduct, outlined on Page 31, makes no exception for “o jogo bonito,” or the beautiful game. “Stewards are not employed, hired or contracted to watch the event,” the handbook states. “They should concentrate on their duties and responsibilities at all times.”Call Mr. Saltoris a stickler, but the FIFA Stadium Safety and Security Regulations handbook makes his case in plain and merciless language. The Stewards Code of Conduct, outlined on Page 31, makes no exception for “o jogo bonito,” or the beautiful game. “Stewards are not employed, hired or contracted to watch the event,” the handbook states. “They should concentrate on their duties and responsibilities at all times.”
Security concerns around the World Cup made for a storm of anxiety leading up to the tournament. Brazil had been widely criticized for lackluster preparations, and protests and demonstrations against the money spent on the World Cup threatened to mar the games.Security concerns around the World Cup made for a storm of anxiety leading up to the tournament. Brazil had been widely criticized for lackluster preparations, and protests and demonstrations against the money spent on the World Cup threatened to mar the games.
While the games have so far gone relatively smoothly, there have been some security glitches. On Monday, about 30 ticketless fans forced their way past security guards and through a gate into a stadium in Rio de Janeiro. In cellphone video capturing the scene, security guards in orange vests stood helplessly next to the breached doors.While the games have so far gone relatively smoothly, there have been some security glitches. On Monday, about 30 ticketless fans forced their way past security guards and through a gate into a stadium in Rio de Janeiro. In cellphone video capturing the scene, security guards in orange vests stood helplessly next to the breached doors.
Mauricio Vargas, a 26-year-old volunteer who coordinates shuttle buses outside the stadium in Fortaleza, said no amount of money could make him work with his back to the field. He knows that would mean missing out on history.Mauricio Vargas, a 26-year-old volunteer who coordinates shuttle buses outside the stadium in Fortaleza, said no amount of money could make him work with his back to the field. He knows that would mean missing out on history.
“The coordinator is watching all of us, like a hunter,” he said, lifting an imaginary rifle up to his eyes.“The coordinator is watching all of us, like a hunter,” he said, lifting an imaginary rifle up to his eyes.
Before Tuesday’s game, Vargas said he would neglect his duties if necessary, never mind the consequences.Before Tuesday’s game, Vargas said he would neglect his duties if necessary, never mind the consequences.
“Today, I will tell the coordinators, ‘I must watch this game,’ ” Vargas said. “If they say no, it doesn’t matter. I’m going to watch, no matter what.”“Today, I will tell the coordinators, ‘I must watch this game,’ ” Vargas said. “If they say no, it doesn’t matter. I’m going to watch, no matter what.”
The security guards posted to the upper bleachers have it easy. From their positions, the players may look like colorful squiggles flickering across a vast, green ocean, but at least the guards can face the game. Rarely has the simple freedom to turn around been worth quite so much. “It’s a good gig because you can watch the game and be paid,” said a security guard on the upper level.The security guards posted to the upper bleachers have it easy. From their positions, the players may look like colorful squiggles flickering across a vast, green ocean, but at least the guards can face the game. Rarely has the simple freedom to turn around been worth quite so much. “It’s a good gig because you can watch the game and be paid,” said a security guard on the upper level.
Tell that to the guards assigned to turn from the field, whose posts are so cruel that they call to mind the Greek myth of Tantalus. The gods forced Tantalus to stand beneath a tree with low-hanging fruit always out of reach. He stood in a full pool that receded when he tried to drink.Tell that to the guards assigned to turn from the field, whose posts are so cruel that they call to mind the Greek myth of Tantalus. The gods forced Tantalus to stand beneath a tree with low-hanging fruit always out of reach. He stood in a full pool that receded when he tried to drink.
He is the root of the word tantalizing, or tentação in Portuguese. Surely the security guards at the World Cup know it.He is the root of the word tantalizing, or tentação in Portuguese. Surely the security guards at the World Cup know it.