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Mid-day Ticker: Rioters clash with police in Sao Paulo; Fabregas signs for Chelsea; and more

ProtestersSaoPauloJune12-1 (Getty)

By TIM FONTENAULT

Hours before the World Cup will begin, Brazilian police and rioters were still clashing in the host nation.

The latest clashes came Thursday morning in Sao Paulo, where the Brazilian National Team will kick off against Croatia this afternoon. Local police used tear gas and noise bombs to disperse the reported 100 protesters, who reconvened two hours later three blocks away from their original location. As of early Thursday afternoon, Reuters was reporting that five people were injured in the clashes.

Brazilian citizens have been protesting for months in the buildup to the World Cup because of government spending on the tournament, upwards of $11 billion, while social services received little funding.

Here are some other stories to be aware of this afternoon:

FABREGAS COMPLETES MOVE TO CHELSEA

Cesc Fabregas will return to the Premier League this coming season after signing a five-year contract with Chelsea on Thursday.

The 27-year-old Spanish midfielder spent the last three seasons with Barcelona after eight years at Arsenal. Fabregas scored 42 goals in 151 appearances with the Catalan club.

In his years with Arsenal, Fabregas, who made 353 appearances for the Gunners, only managed to win the 2005 FA Cup.

“I do feel that I have unfinished business in the Premier League and now is the right time to return,” Fabregas said.

“I considered all the other offers very carefully and I firmly believe that Chelsea is the best choice,” he said. “They match my footballing ambitions with their hunger and desire to win trophies. They have an amazing squad of players and an incredible manager. I am fully committed to this team and I can’t wait to start playing.”

Fabregas will wear the No. 4 shirt previously worn by David Luiz, who joined Paris Saint-Germain.

PLATINI WON’T BACK BLATTER

Sepp Blatter will seek a fifth term as FIFA president next May, but he will not have the support of UEFA President Michel Platini.

The head of the European confederation will fight to prevent the controversial leader from being re-elected. Platini joins FA chairman David Gill and Michael van Praag, the leader of the Dutch federation, who told Blatter to step aside during a UEFA summit Tuesday.

“I was very proud of the Europeans,” Platini said. “I am supporting Sepp Blatter no longer. It’s finished. I have known him for a long time, I like him, but I’m not favorable to him having another term.

“I supported him in 1998, but I do not support him in 2014. I have told him that. I think FIFA needs a new breath of fresh air.”

Platini could run against Blatter in next year’s FIFA presidential elections. The Frenchman will make a decision about that by the time of the Champions League draw in August.

“In my life, I wanted to be a footballer, and it went well,” Platini said. “I was asked to coach, and to be president of the organizing committee of the 1998 World Cup, and I liked it. Then I became a member of the FIFA executive committee. Now I am very happy to be at UEFA. I am loved by national associations. But FIFA is something important.”

FORMER UNION DEFENDER MYRIE CALLED INTO COSTA RICA SQUAD

Just hours before the 2014 World Cup is kicked off, Costa Rica has made a late roster change.

On Thursday, FIFA approved the addition of defender Dave Myrie, formerly of the Philadelphia Union, in place of the injured Heiner Mora. Mora hurt his Achilles tendon in training this week, leaving Los Ticos a defender short until FIFA had approved the switch.

Costa Rica open their World Cup campaign on Saturday with a Group D match against Uruguay in Fortaleza.

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What are your thoughts on this news? Will the rioting ever stop? Does Fabregas make Chelsea the Premier League favorite? Do you think Platini is a better option than Blatter?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Watch Thousands protest Live: link to livestream.com

    This is what a Military State looks like: link to revolution-news.com

    And this: link to revolution-news.com

    And this: link to revolution-news.com

    Stream every WC match through 3rd parties online
    #BoycottWorldCup #AntiCopa #StopWorldCup #opMundial2014

    Reply
      • Umm… both experience high temps during summer, small country, a population that would rather have the money spent on hospitals and such, human rights issues, ect. the similarities go on and on.

      • Small country? Credibility gone. Comparing temperatures in Brazil to those in Qatar is ludicrous too. You’re not wrong about Qatar being a bad thing but your comment is ludicrous.

      • Brazil is small and Qataris would rather their government spend money on social services?
        Summers are hot all around the world.
        Ignorance

    • Watch Thousands protest Live: link to livestream.com

      This is what a Military State looks like: link to revolution-news.com

      And this: link to revolution-news.com

      And this: link to revolution-news.com

      Stream every WC match through 3rd parties online
      #BoycottWorldCup #AntiCopa #StopWorldCup #opMundial2014

      Reply
      • June 12, 2014 at 3:13 PM

        Watch Thousands protest Live: link to livestream.com

        This is what a Military State looks like: link to revolution-news.com

        And this: link to revolution-news.com

        And this: link to revolution-news.com

        Stream every WC match through 3rd parties online
        #BoycottWorldCup #OccupyWorldCup #StopWorldCup #opMundial2014

      • How dare you post something that sheds light on human rights violations going on just feet from where world cup matches are being played! We don’t care about that here! So what if people suffer, while FIFA, ESPN, Hyundai, and all other sponcers are making a handy profit. It’s not like they’re HURTING people. Just making money while OTHER people do the durty work. It’s not appropriate to impose you’re fact upon our enjoyment of the beautiful game. I think you own the internet an appology.

      • Word. I’m with you. Keep the social dilemma at the forefront. It’s just as important as the W.C.

    • Yes and if he runs and wins (which he probably would) chances of moving Qatar likely shrink dramatically.

      Maybe Gulati should run

      Reply
      • Get out of here. We need Gulati, he’s not going to be any use in that bureaucratic swamp.

    • Hey, knuckleheads, note the first article above: fascism in action right beneath your noses. Are you guys Americans or what? Give those disenfranchised peeps down south some psycho-emotional support. THEN, bust FIFA’s balls wide open, and not for Qatar if you get what I’m sayin’.

      Reply
      • Good point. Sometimes we don’t see the forest for the trees. There’s plenty going on RIGHT NOW that should be addressed. I’m not putting anyone down for going to the world cup, but the fact is every dollar spent in Brazil is in support (intentionally or unintentionally) of the tournament that Brazil has organized, and how they’ve gone about supporting it.

        Look at it this way, if a thief steals watches and I buy one, i’m supporting his thievery even if i’m unaware that the watch i just bought is stolen. Same with my shoes, which is a better example because this is something i actually do. The hypocrite that i am, I’m alright with buying clothes that are made in sweatshops buy young (5-8 year olds) children. I dont think about it when i pay for my shoes. I CHOOSE to turn a blind eye to the reality that some poor kids are being taken advantage of so their boss/master/owner can make a buck and i can save a little.

        THAT is what’s going on in Brazil (and Quatar) RIGHT NOW. I’m not saying i’m better than any tourist in Brazil having a good time. I’m also not going to shy away from reality. Just my two cents. Sorry to be a downer. Certain comments have lead me to do some research recently and, sadly, the worst case scenario isn’t too far off the mark.

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