Congress wants less power for Fifa

21/12/2011 - 09h39

Opposition and government parties joined together yesterday to postpone the voting of the World Cup Bill and pressure Fifa, the world's governing body of soccer, to compromise on the government's responsibilities regarding the organization of the World Cup.

Fifa wants to alter the bill and make it clearer in what cases the government will pay for Fifa's losses.

The government's version, supported by congressmen, assigned the government responsible for damages caused by safety problems and "action and omission". As verified by Folha, the Fifa considers the version too restrict.

Yesterday rapporteur of the Wolrd Cup Bill Vicente Cândido (PT-SP) suggested congressmen to change the text, making the government responsible "regardless of fault", including cases of natural disasters or "force majeure."

The version did not last even three hours, after the resistance of both opposition and government congressmen, who left the commission, leading to the end of the session due to absence of a quorum.

"The government, the Fifa and all of us wanted to vote as soon as possible, but only when there are political conditions. The government and the opposition want the same thing, which is to not guarantee all of Fifa's demands," said the president of the special commission, Congressman Renan Filho (PMDB-AL).

After being criticized, rapporteur Vicente Cândido said the text is still "being discussed" and did not comment on the version to be voted --which will happen in 2012.

Since the beginning of the month, Cândido has presented at least three different versions in his report. Cândido proposed allowing alcohol in stadiums starting next year, but only in the box seats, and later expanded the decision to the entire area of stadiums, but only during the World Cup.

That is one of the points that congressmen, especially of opposition parties, still resist. Because of Fifa's pressure, Cândido will submit the text that allows alcohol only during the World Cup, which is sponsored by a beer company.

Yesterday, Cândido submitted to congressmen a version that takes away half-price tickets for elders and puts them in the "social quota", costing US$ 25 (R$ 46, by yesterday's exchange rate).

Cândido was criticized, also by the government, and said he would use last week's text, guaranteeing the "sovereignty" of the Elder's Statute and half-price tickets for any World Cup match.

Translated by THOMAS MUELLO