Brazil’s football players cheer on their semi-finals at the Confederations Cup, but the protesters outside the stadium in Fortaleza can not get impressed. The protests overshadow the long sports festival – and provide the player with a problem.

Protesters throw stones at the police, the security forces respond with rubber bullets and tear gas bombs. Violent scenes took place on Wednesday night in the streets of Fortaleza from. “We will not be beaten by the police. We are ready to fight for a better Brazil,” Regis said, 23-year-old art student and protester.

Only three kilometers further led the Brazilian golden boy Neymar Selecao little later to a convincing 2-0 win over Mexico at the Confederations Cup. The fans in the stadium celebrated, but the dominant theme in the football-crazy Brazil is not these days the resurgent national – it is the mass protests.

All Brazil is in turmoil, it is the largest protests since 20 years in the South American country. On Monday night flocked to the cities of over 200,000 people on the streets. The Brazilian government and FIFA are afraid that the protests spill now in the stages of the Confederations Cup.

Brazil Unrest:Demonstrators at the stadium? “A Tragedy”

Protesters fought themselves with the consequences of rubber bullets, smoke bombs and pepper spray the police. “The police had the right of 60,000 fans to watch the game, protect. Imagine the protesters came into the stadium. That would be a tragedy, “said Cid Gomes, Governor of the State of Ceará, Fortaleza is the capital.

Fortaleza is a popular holiday resort. Huge hotel buildings line the streets, and on the beaches can be seen in the high season, the white sand of sheer umbrellas and no longer are. The city is not exactly known for their subversive scene. That about 25,000 people here just go to the streets to protest against the millions of investment around the major events against corruption and high cost of living and a better education system – that is remarkable.

Some posters are visible in the stadium shortly before the game. “It’s not just about 20 centavos, but to billions stolen from public funds,” it says on a sign, which alludes to the increase in bus fares in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. The increases have now been withdrawn, but the protest goes on. Also in the stadium.

Barzil Riot:Angry at the government, not the team

As in Fortaleza heard the national anthem, also sets the fan with the critical poster his right hand on his heart and sings with fervor. The fans make it clear that the anger is directed not against their team, but against the government.

The players of the Seleção in solidarity with the protesters, but without venturing too far in their statements. Bayern players Dante, who can make hopes of a place at the match against Italy after the broken nose of David Luiz, said after the final whistle: “We of course follow the protests. These people want to improve our country, and I hope that they will reach their goal at the end. ”

Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari explained: His players can say whatever they think. However, they had it their special responsibility to be aware of. In plain language this means: Do not forfeited it – neither the demonstrators nor the government.

Brazil Riot:”We are the people”

The players move a fine line. The team wants to stand in no case as representative of the maligned government. On the other hand, players will be the protagonists of the major events, is currently being demonstrated against. “The Seleção belongs to the people. We are the people. We want to motivate people to represent Brazil, “said Luis Felipe Scolari.

Brazil stands for lightness, joy, beaches and the Seleção. What have the politicians “up there” made ​​barely played in the lives of people long a role. The economic boom of recent years has, however, strengthened the middle class. The students from this layer no longer be satisfied with pleasure and football. You want to say in political and fight the omnipresent corruption. “We have seen in the Arab states, which is possible. Why not here, too,” says Gabriela, 22, student of architecture and demonstrator in Fortaleza.

The taxi drivers, beach vendors and residents who live around the spectacular Castelão Stadium in apart crumbling stone cottages can start little with the protests but often. They would most like to see their Seleção in the stadium.  However, the high ticket prices make for a Brazilian standards rather timid and reserved “public event.”  So the followers flock to training and celebrate their players there with singing and vocal chants.

Much quieter it is for the Brazilian team in Salvador. There, the team checked in on a Thursday in a luxury hotel – 500 employees currently work stoppages.

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