Separate soccer from politics: Brazil leader

AFP/BrasiliaBrazilian President Dilma Rousseff urged her compatriots yesterday to separate soccer and politics and support their World Cup hopefuls regardless of political grievances. Rousseff, a former leftist guerrilla who was imprisoned and tortured under the 1964-85 military dictatorship, recalled that she was in jail when Brazil won its third World Cup title in 1970. “At that time, there were segments (of society) who said ‘if you are going to support Brazil then you are fortifying the dictatorship’,” Rousseff observed in an article published yesterday. “But this was nonsense. For me the dilemma never existed,” she insisted. Tardy and sometimes chaotic preparations for the event, coupled with a bill topping $11bn, have fuelled public anger and demonstrations have been taking place around the country.Yesterday saw a further, albeit small, protest in Brasilia and a demonstration in Rio was also scheduled. Though polls show she is likely to be reelected in October, Rousseff was roundly booed by fans when she attended the opening match of the World Cup which last Thursday saw the hosts defeat Croatia in Sao Paulo.She responded by saying she would not be intimidated by insults.In her article for the World Cup web news portal, she reminded Brazilians how far their country has come since 1970. “Then, we were living under a dictatorship. There was no right to demonstrate, to organise (political resistance), the right to divergence” of political views.“There was torture, persecution and repression. But there was never a question of it (not supporting the national team). My cellmates and I never had any doubts on that and always supported Brazil, because football is above politics,” she insisted.“Yesterday, today and always, the Brazilian people love the national team (which) represents our nationality. It stands above governors, political parties and any interest groups,” she stressed.