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FLORIANOPOLIS, Brazil -- FIFA says it is concerned about security challenges during the World Cup in Brazil but isnt afraid of being targeted by public demonstrations expected in June. Orlando Cepeda Giants Jersey . "FIFA is not coming now with less people. Instead, we are increasing our staff during the World Cup, obviously, and we are not hiding our brand," director of security Ralf Mutschke said on Thursday. "FIFA is not feeling as a target and we are not hiding ourselves or our symbol. We are proud to be here and to celebrate the World Cup." Footballs governing body was satisfied with the high level of security that will be provided by Brazilian authorities, said Mutschke, who guaranteed FIFA "is highly committed to ensuring the safety and security for fans, players and any other stakeholder involved in our event." Mutschke was at a workshop in the southern city of Florianopolis, where Brazilian officials made security presentations to representatives of all 32 teams, telling them and FIFA what to expect when they return in a few months. "It is pretty easy to be concerned about the fate of the World Cup when you are reading, for example, reportings on ongoing public demonstrations, the lamentable scenes of fan violence, the apprehension in regards to street crime, child prostitution or drug trafficking," Mutschke said. "There is no doubt about it, FIFA and the local organizing committee is condemning any form of violence. We just do not accept it." The fears of violence stem from last Junes protests that erupted around Brazil against corruption, poor public services and the billions of dollars being spent on the World Cup and 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Many of the complaints were against FIFA, and at the time one of its clearly marked buses was damaged by protesters. Mutschke said the demonstrations are not directly linked to FIFA and are about greater demands from Brazilian people. "Obviously demonstrators took advantage that the World Cup and the whole world was looking to Brazil and they exploited the situation for all different reasons, as well as for the World Cup, for corruption, for spending too much money in the wrong direction and so on," he said. Protesters carrying banners saying "FIFA Go Away" were common last year, and were seen even on Wednesday when a few dozen demonstrators gathered outside the upscale resort which hosted the workshop. No matches were delayed during last years Confederations Cup, although protests raged near the stadiums. Police had to maintain a security ring around the stadiums that mostly kept protesters at bay, but on a few occasions groups did break through. "We saw during the Confederations Cup, when at one point we had one million people on the streets, that no match was interrupted, no fan was unable to get to a match and no team delegation faced any problems," said Andrei Rodrigues, one of the Brazilian governments officials in charge of security during major events. "It was a thorough test of public safety and it was considered a success." Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff said this week that Brazils armed forces could be called on to contain possible violent protests during the World Cup. Rodrigues reiterated that peaceful protests will not be prohibited at any point, but any acts of violence and vandalism will not be tolerated. Brazil is expected to use 150,000 professionals from security forces and armed forces during the World Cup. The total public investment in safety during the event is nearly $800 million, according to the justice ministry. Torii Hunter Tigers Jersey . -- Oakland Raiders running back Maurice Jones-Drew is being sued in Florida, accused of punching a bouncer at a St. Madison Bumgarner Giants Jersey . Booth, 28, has missed the last four games with a lower body injury and has appeared in 11 of 16 games for the Canucks this season, recording one goal and two assists.STUTTGART, Germany -- Two-time defending champion Maria Sharapova needed eight match points to put away top-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska 6-4, 6-3 Friday for a place in the Porsche Grand Prix semifinals. Sharapova has won 11 consecutive matches on Stuttgarts indoor clay. Her semifinal opponent will be eighth-seeded Sara Errani, who was leading 6-3, 6-7 (6), 3-0 when Carla Suarez Navarro retired with a hand injury. "This was a big victory for me, the biggest since my injury," said Sharapova, who returned late last year after missing more than four months following shoulder surgery. Ana Ivanovic outlasted 2009 Stuttgart champion Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 in a battle between two former French Open winners. Ivanovic is seeking her third title of the year and is the only player remaining in the tournament to have won an event this year. Radwanska played her best tennis in the penultimate game, when she fought off sixx match points and finally broke Sharapovas serve. Hunter Pence Giants Jersey. Under pressure from Radwanska, Sharapova made two straight backhand errors as she dropped her serve. But Radwanska could not keep the momentum and Sharapovas forehand winner down the line gave her two more match points. Sharapova wasted the first with a wild forehand that was both long and wide, but then nailed a forehand winner to the corner to end the match. Sharapova is aiming for her first title of the year and the 30th of her career. Ranked No. 9, she would have fallen out of the top 10 with a loss Friday. "Ive been on the tour for so long I wasnt really thinking about it," she said. Suarez Navarro received treatment after winning the second set and quit three games later. "I feel really sorry, I have huge respect for her," Errani said. "It is not easy to play her. I tried to move her around and to be aggressive." cheap jerseys from china cheap jerseys ' ' ' |
