Even as the 2022 FIFA World Cup host (Qatar) is being reconsidered after prolonged investigation of bribery, the 2014 World Cup remains mired in controversy mere days before its commencement. Kind of like a student held back from graduating under Policy 71. Remember, kids: self-expertize, don’t plagarize!
Overbudget
Seven years ago, a budget of $13.3 billion was established for the tournament, with the majority to be spent on infrastructure to support the World Cup, including highways, transit, airports, and seaports. Since then, most of the budget has been blown on stadium development – particularly in the implementation of “green” technology and renovation of existing grounds. But as green as they are, solar panels don’t grow on trees. Neither do the pricy water recycling facilities or retractable stands. Furthermore, maintenance of these space-age stadiums is expected to be 10% of their construction cost. One doesn’t need to take engineering economics to understand that this greatly increases the net present value of the project.
Furthermore, 13 of the 50 original infrastructure projects have been scrapped as a result of budget overruns, including high-speed rail rail link between airports and cities. These infrastructure links were especially important to the World Cup, considering that Brazilian organizers have scattered the games across the entire country rather than clustering them. Now athletes may have to carpool through gridlock like other working class plebes. Heavens forbid that they show up late for the game and screw up the television networks’ broadcast schedules.
Behind Schedule
Stadium construction is behind schedule. Airports in nearly 12 host cities are teeming with construction workers installing parking lots, check-in counters, and overdue expansions. Meanwhile, stadiums are still struggling to set up cellular networks for tens of thousands of tourist smartphones. Temporary bleachers in some stadia have still not been tested under their designated load. Although Brazil is in hot publicity water right now, it will be nothing if a bench fails and sends fans plummeting to their deaths – or at least indignity.
In total, only half of the projects promised for the World Cup have been delivered, and many of these are only partially completed. In school this would be what is known as a “FAIL”. Fo’ shame
In particular, Rio de Janeiro, which is to host both the World Cup this year and the 2016 Summer Olympics, is overwhelmed by deadlines. Between 30 000 and 170 000 families in Rio de Janeiro have been forcibly relocated, with little compensation provided and incomplete relocation plans prepared. At least when Brazil abandons its stadiums after being unable to pay for the upkeep of overpriced green technology, the displaced families can begin squatting in in the facilities.
High ticket prices are also taking Brazil’s World Cup away from the lower classes – which is ironic because football is only the most popular sport in the world by virtue of low equipment requirements. Brazil has negotiated a 50% discount for students and the elderly, but this is not enough. However, World Cup regulations also require that no World Cup merchandise of any sort is sold within 2km of a stadium, and that broadcast of events is limited to bars sponsored by the official beer provider of the World Cup. This will suck for actual Brazilians because aforementioned bars will be full of tourists; watered-down, overpriced beer, and obnoxious product placement.
The World Cup kicks off on June 12th in Sao Paolo! Hopefully it will be an excellent opportunity for FIFA executives to reconsider selecting Qatar as the 2022 World Cup host.
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