Safety, Train Transit Rated Highly Among World Cup Fans in Brazil

(ATR) They came, they saw ... and England were conquered. But away from the football, how are fans finding the organization of the Brazil World Cup?

Around the Ringsspoke to around a dozen England fans before England’s disappointing 2-1 defeat to Uruguay last night in Sao Paulo, which virtually ends their hopes of advancing in the tournament.

Outside Arena Corinthians on an overcast day with a slight chill in the air – this being Brazil’s winter after all – England and Uruguay fans were filing into the stadium with 40 minutes until kick-off. More than 62,000 packed the stadium.

Both sets of fans were brimming with optimism, despite first-match losses for their teams. Volunteers, sporting their blue uniforms, were brandishing those large foam pointy fingers to direct fans into stadium access points. Policing was low-key and the crowd management system was about as slick as anything you would see at a football stadium in Western Europe.

One volunteer was sat on a high chair facing fans trooping up the hill from the metro stop or buses parked at a perimeter point some distance from the stadium. With pickpockets operating around the stadium, as in other host cities, his message through a loudspeaker was "Be careful with your tickets".

England fans, who have spent thousands of pounds on tickets, travel, and accommodation, posed for photos with Uruguay supporters. Before battle commenced on the field, it was a chance to savor the pre-match atmosphere when hope springs eternal.

A quick survey of fans revealed that there were no problems getting to the stadium, which is around 15 kilometers from downtown Sao Paulo. One described the transport system, a 30-minute journey on the metro, as "outstanding." Another said it was "dead easy," and two others said it had worked absolutely fine. There were no complaints, only compliments.

Better than South Africa 2010

Brazil’s preparations for the World Cup were plagued by chronic delays on stadium projects, anti-government protests, cost overruns, and failure to complete transport infrastructure.

So, did the reality of the fans’ Brazilian adventures match up to their expectations?

Dressed up as knights, a group of fans from Hull, in the northeast of England, attracted plenty of attention.

One told ATR that Brazil had exceeded his expectations; the pre-tournament warnings stoked fears about airport meltdown, travel chaos, and security problems in the 12 host cities.

"It’s completely different to what everyone said," the forty-something fan said, wearing an ear-to-ear smile.

"A lot better than we heard," another said. "People have been great."

Veterans of World Cup travel, these knights of England have been to every FIFA tournament since Japan/Korea in 2002. They saw England’s 2-1 loss in Manaus before watching Roy Hodgson’s team in Sao Paulo. Next stop is Belo Horizontefor England’s likely final game against Costa Rica.

"This is better than South Africa, definitely," the first one said.

In what way? "The organization, stadiums, accommodation ... we feel safe as well."

Did they have any concerns about policing - too heavy-handed or inadequate?

"We’ve not had any issues at all. I felt safer here than I did in South Africa," his friend said.

"Organized Chaos," Language Barrier

A couple of fans sinking a final beer before heading into the stadium told ATR Fortaleza had been a little different than Sao Paulo, describing their experience there in general and the event management in particular as "organized chaos."

In comparison, they said everything in Sao Paulo was "quite regimented." They also praised policing and security in South America’s largest city as "very good."

"They came up to us warn about pickpockets," said one of the London-based fans.

One problem they mentioned, which echoes the experience of many fans and journalists, is the language barrier. Not many people speak English in Brazil, and it can be hard to make yourself understood. This also goes for the volunteers. For all their helpfulness, many don't have a good grasp of English.

Mañana, Mañana

Two men from Bolton, northwest England, had travelled to Sao Paulo on an England supporters’ bus from Rio, a journey of six hours. They were heading back after the match.

In fine spirits, they had no complaints about Brazil.

"The one thing we have learned is the Brazilians have brought a new meaning to the word mañana," one said, with an ear-to-ear grin.

"It’s like ... it might work, it might not work. It might happen, it might not happen."

Has that been a problem, or have you rolled with it?

"Well, you’ve got to, haven’t you? This is first-world problems where you’ve got the World Cup, so things are amazing, really.

"Compared to Germany 2006, where everything was organized with military precision, it’s slightly different. But it’s great. We embrace it."

The pair described Spain’s match against Chile at the Maracana two days ago as "amazing."

"It feels a bit more like a holiday spirit down there with more going on," he said.

Two hours later amid the doom and gloom of England’s wretched defeat to Uruguay – a night to forget – they were no doubt glad to get back to the beaches of Rio.

Written by Mark Bissonin Sao Paolo

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