A Fallen Hero

Brazil has always been known as a land of footballing prosperity that dominates club and
international tournaments on a truly global scale. But with the drastic increase in crime amongst
major soccer cities including Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia many fans are in fear for the violence
that could occur in areas such as the favelas this coming June.
An article from USA Today described this phenomenon by saying, RIO DE JANEIRO The
news of a second decapitation this year in Brazil has raised questions about whether such
heinous crimes may deter foreign visitors considering a trip for next summers FIFA World Cup.
Joo Rodrigo Silva Santos, a former Brazilian professional soccer player, was kidnapped and
brutally decapitated this week in the citys West Zone. His wife, Gesa Silva, an officer in one of
Rios Police Pacification Units (UPP), found his head in a backpack left on their front door step
in the early hours of the morning, (USA Today,1).
The article describes the pervasive violence within the country of one that puts fear in the hearts
of millions of citizens as these attacks are on people of national recognition. But no one knows
exactly why these violent gangs are attacking people of national prominence.
Santos, a national hero within the country was one of the greatest national players of the last
thirty years. Despite numerous offers to go to some top European clubs he continuously denied
them in pursuit of strengthening the domestic Brazilian league. He was a national figure who was
beloved by millions of people because of his dedication to raising money for charities that
support under privileged athletes in poor favela communities.
But my main question is why? Why target a largely respected figure who seemed to have no
problems?
But then I realized that this paradox is exactly the answer. Since the announcement that the
World Cup would take place in Brazil the tournament has been an extremely divisive issue.
Although it will help economic growth most middle to lower class people see it as an opportunity
to exploit the labor laws in Brazil.
Worker mistreatment within Brazilian factories and blue collars jobs is well documented and the
majority of the population feared as if this new economic opportunity would turn into another
cast of big Brazilian operating with little action of the government. So these unaddressed
allegations have led some groups to believe that justice must be taken into their own hands. And
now Brazilian gangs have taken it into their own hands to commit horrific acts and justify them
as a social martyr for the struggle that they face.
These malevolent actions have changed the focus away from a tournament that is loved by so
many into a running speculation about fan safety. And these groups have done exactly what they
wanted too. By attacking high profile former players they reach a global audience. This form of
protest is inexcusable and Brazil must take drastic actions to ensure the safety of fans and
players.
But acts like these arent all that uncommon. The Togo national team came under attack at a
warm up tournament for the 2010 World Cup. During their trip from Cabinda to South Africa
there bus came under attack which led to many players injured and the driver of the bus dead.
These actions are a constant reminder that social protest can lead to heinous actions if the correct
rules and regulations arent put into place. Brazil must quickly change the thoughts about the
World Cup away from this isolated incident and to talk about how they are going to fix the
problem. The government must completely separate themselves from the issue and attempt to
restore fan safety by establishing increased security in dangerous parts of the city.
The World Cup is supposed to be a time of global civilization and twice in the last five years the
focus has been diffused into the danger of these countries rather than the rich and gratifying
experience that they are providing to fans.