Blatter has lunch with congressional leaders; beer at World Cup soccer games not on the menu

After Joseph Blatter met with president Dilma Rousseff, the minister of Spórts, Aldo Rebelo, and former soccer players, Pelé and Ronaldo (who is a member of the 2014 World Cup organizing committee), the head of FIFA had lunch with the president of the Chamber of Deputies, Marco Maia (PT-RS) and the leader of the government there, Arlindo Chinaglia (PT-SP). Maia and Chinaglia are responsible for an essential hurdle before Brazil and FIFA can move ahead in harmony: herding the World Cup General Law (“Lei Geral da Copa”) through Congress.

However, significantly, neither Maia nor Chinaglia  promised that the law, when approved, would authorize the sale of beer at 2014 World Cup games. Both congressmen admitted that Brazil’s image was in play and that the country had to fulfill its obligations as per agreements signed with FIFA (including respecting FIFA’s commercial rights in a contract with a brewery). But when asked specifically about the General Law, both were cautious.

Maia said deputies did have a responsibility, but at the same time he emphasized the pluralistic nature of the legislature and the diversity of its makeup. “Our parliament represents a synthesis of the Brazilian people. We are proud to be one of the world’s largest democracies and we know that its existence only came about after a difficult struggle in our recent past,” declared Maia.

Chinaglia said that in principle the vote on the General Law should take place this week [March 19-26], but admitted that another postponement was possible.

According to the minister of Sports, Aldo Rebelo, “The government is confident in the decision that will be made by the Congress. But, we have no guarantee about the outcome. If we did, it would not be necessary to have a vote. What I can say is that the government drew up this bill and sent it to Congress. This is a bill that contains guarantees that the Brazilian government will honor its obligations with FIFA.”

After Joseph Blatter met with president Dilma Rousseff, the minister of Spórts, Aldo Rebelo, and former soccer players, Pelé and Ronaldo (who is a member of the 2014 World Cup organizing committee), the head of FIFA had lunch with the president of the Chamber of Deputies, Marco Maia (PT-RS) and the leader of the government there, Arlindo Chinaglia (PT-SP). Maia and Chinaglia are responsible for an essential hurdle before Brazil and FIFA can move ahead in harmony: herding the World Cup General Law (“Lei Geral da Copa”) through Congress.

However, significantly, neither Maia nor Chinaglia  promised that the law, when approved, would authorize the sale of beer at 2014 World Cup games. Both congressmen admitted that Brazil’s image was in play and that the country had to fulfill its obligations as per agreements signed with FIFA (including respecting FIFA’s commercial rights in a contract with a brewery). But when asked specifically about the General Law, both were cautious.

Maia said deputies did have a responsibility, but at the same time he emphasized the pluralistic nature of the legislature and the diversity of its makeup. “Our parliament represents a synthesis of the Brazilian people. We are proud to be one of the world’s largest democracies and we know that its existence only came about after a difficult struggle in our recent past,” declared Maia.

Chinaglia said that in principle the vote on the General Law should take place this week [March 19-26], but admitted that another postponement was possible.

According to the minister of Sports, Aldo Rebelo, “The government is confident in the decision that will be made by the Congress. But, we have no guarantee about the outcome. If we did, it would not be necessary to have a vote. What I can say is that the government drew up this bill and sent it to Congress. This is a bill that contains guarantees that the Brazilian government will honor its obligations with FIFA.”

After Joseph Blatter met with president Dilma Rousseff, the minister of Spórts, Aldo Rebelo, and former soccer players, Pelé and Ronaldo (who is a member of the 2014 World Cup organizing committee), the head of FIFA had lunch with the president of the Chamber of Deputies, Marco Maia (PT-RS) and the leader of the government there, Arlindo Chinaglia (PT-SP). Maia and Chinaglia are responsible for an essential hurdle before Brazil and FIFA can move ahead in harmony: herding the World Cup General Law (“Lei Geral da Copa”) through Congress.

However, significantly, neither Maia nor Chinaglia  promised that the law, when approved, would authorize the sale of beer at 2014 World Cup games. Both congressmen admitted that Brazil’s image was in play and that the country had to fulfill its obligations as per agreements signed with FIFA (including respecting FIFA’s commercial rights in a contract with a brewery). But when asked specifically about the General Law, both were cautious.

Maia said deputies did have a responsibility, but at the same time he emphasized the pluralistic nature of the legislature and the diversity of its makeup. “Our parliament represents a synthesis of the Brazilian people. We are proud to be one of the world’s largest democracies and we know that its existence only came about after a difficult struggle in our recent past,” declared Maia.

Chinaglia said that in principle the vote on the General Law should take place this week [March 19-26], but admitted that another postponement was possible.

According to the minister of Sports, Aldo Rebelo, “The government is confident in the decision that will be made by the Congress. But, we have no guarantee about the outcome. If we did, it would not be necessary to have a vote. What I can say is that the government drew up this bill and sent it to Congress. This is a bill that contains guarantees that the Brazilian government will honor its obligations with FIFA.”