Anyone travelling to the world cup....

Today I got this bit of travel advise about going to Brazil during the world cup.

For me it would be on business unfortunately but I'd already decided that Brazil isn't the place to go this summer - either for the look of things at work or for a pleasurable productive trip.

However, given that there is little on the BBC other than focus on which players might or might not be going - for those seasoned England fans isn't the below just what happens at world cups. South Africa can't have been all sweetness and light for instance.

I'm sure the olympics in London had it's fair share of issues, although I guess a world cup is a little more focused on one or two games per day spread accross several cities rather than a multitude of events occuring accross a single city. But the travel companies advice below seems a little alarmist.

I'm curious whether those planning to go this summer have other information from fans groups, the FA, etc etc.




Sao Paulo: Protests against World Cup expected for today 15-Apr-2014 15:13
A large-scale protest against the World Cup is scheduled for today at 18:00 local time near downtown Sao Paulo. The event will take place at the Museum of Art of Sao Paulo Assis Chateaubriand, located on Avenida Paulista and Rua Dr. Plinio de Queiros. The rally is being scheduled via social media and has over 5,000 participants confirming their attendance.
Key Travel Security Considerations
• Brazil is the world's fifth largest country, but lacks adequate infrastructure to facilitate the movement of sports fans to each city; the competition is likely to be characterised by severe congestion.
• Congestion is likely to be exacerbated by strikes and civil unrest; Brazil's elevated profile during the games and public fury over corruption and overspending will precipitate protests and riots.
• Security concerns exist over anarchist groups, such as Black Bloc's ability to hijack protests.
• Brazil has Latin America's highest homicide rate and street crime is a threat to individual travellers, perceived as wealthy by poor local criminals.
• International terrorists are known to operate, although pose a low threat to the games specifically.

Logistics
Hosted in twelve cities across the world's fifth largest country, the logistics of moving personnel around the country will be complex. The challenge is compounded by poor infrastructure and unfinished transport hubs.
Many host cities have more seats in stadiums than hotel rooms, leading to a dependence on cruise ships, upgrades of cheap motels, and local people renting out their homes.
Of 56 planned infrastructure projects, just seven are complete. Infrastructure improvements to an already weak system are not likely to prove adequate.
Isolated inland cities of Manaus and Cuiaba are heavily dependent on air travel, but airports lack the capacity, with the passenger terminal at Cuiaba to be tented.
Civil Unrest
High spending of public money on "FIFA standard" facilities in the face of widespread poverty, scrapping of many local infrastructure projects and corruption have produced social, economic and politically motivated protests.
The event puts Brazil on the world stage, giving protestors a platform from which to air domestic grievances.
The reliance on key public services, such as police, air traffic controllers and bus drivers provides the opportunity for pay strikes. The government's current ambivalence increases the likelihood of industrial action.
Clashes at last year's Confederations Cup humiliated unprepared riot police. A sense of vendetta now exists among security services, which could lead to heavy-handed tactics, exacerbating incidents.
Anarchist groups, such as Black Bloc are very active in Brazil and have promised to whip up unrest during the games.
Crime and Security
Crime is prevalent in Brazil and homicide rates are some of the highest in Latin America; linked to a growing domestic drug market.
The influx of foreigners, perceived as wealthy, is likely to drive a wave of street crime, including armed robberies, car theft, rape/sexual assault, pickpocketing and card fraud. Express kidnappings are also a rising phenomenon across the region.
The tri-border area between Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina is a known hotspot for organised crime and international terrorist organisations - Porto Alegre and Curitiba lie within 300 miles.

 

Not from the Barnsley squad. lol

Unless they've spent some of our wasted money on a holiday.

 

Re: Not from the Barnsley squad. lol

Frimpong has a very small outside chance of going.

 

Re: Not from the Barnsley squad. lol

I wonder who he got tickets off?

 

Re: Not from the Barnsley squad. lol

Corporates through his dench clothing co.

 

Re: Not from the Barnsley squad. lol

Stay Dench in Rio!!!

 

Re: Not from the Barnsley squad. lol

We had all this ****** befor we went to S Afria
Murders and everything and based in Capetown
Had 1 of the best times I've ever had going,apart from
Some of the footy results.traveld miles their but
Loved it. Go for it.

 

Re: Not from the Barnsley squad. lol

We were stopping in a million pound house in Cape Town bro though!

 

Finalised it today and going to last 2 groups games in a package.

Looking forward to it. Been to Brazil before traveling and loved the place.

 

I once thought that going to the Brazil world cup would be a dream trip but I have seen a lot about the proposed civil unrest and if I was going I think, being a bit mesh, I would be a little nervous. Avoid trouble and I bet it would be an amazing experience. But I suspect there will be plenty of fans who fall foul of some of the crime or other issues mentioned who won't look back on the trip with fondness.