Brazilians reject Government money in World Cup stadiums, says poll

An opinion poll published today (16) in the “Folha de São Paulo” newspaper shows that 57% of all Brazilians are against the application of public funds in the refurbishment or construction of the stadiums for the 2014 World Cup. The use of Government funds is defended by 37% of the people interviewed, while 7% did not give an opinion. The poll involved interviewing 10,856 people in 382 Brazilian cities, between 9 and 12 August.

Porto Alegre is the capital city which has the greatest rejection of the use of this type of funds. Only 19% of the residents of Rio Grande do Sul see no problem in the use of Government money, while in São Paulo and Curitiba this rate gets up to 30%. In these three cities, the World Cup matches shall be played in private stadiums. In Bahia, 50% of those interviewed defend Government investments in World Cup arenas (with a rejection rate of 42%).

Nine World Cup arenas shall be constructed with funds of state governments and shall also have financing provided by the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social - BNDES), which has opened a specific credit line of R$ 4.8 billion (€ 2.14 billion). In addition, the Federal Government has granted exemption from payment of Federal Taxes to all World Cup stadiums.

Morumbi
The survey also addressed the issue of the venue for the opening game of the World Cup. For 26% of the people interviewed, the city of Rio de Janeiro, which shall already be hosting the final, is the favorite to also take on the opening match. Next come São Paulo (23%), Belo Horizonte (8%), Brasília (7%) and Salvador (6%).

Out of the people who feel that São Paulo is the ideal city to host the opening match, 52% feel that the Morumbi should be the stadium to be used in the 2014 World Cup, which is contrary to the position stated by FIFA and also by the Local Organizing Committee (COL) that vetoed use of the stadium.

Pacaembu Stadium and the construction of a new stadium with Government help both had the support of 14%, while the Palestra Itália stadium was preferred by 11%. About 9% of those interviewed did not answer.