All eyes are on Brazil as the World Cup kicks off on 12 June. Unfortunately, the focus is not just the football. Accusations of corruption and mismanagement are multiplying, writes the anti-corruption campaign group Transparency International (TI). Visit the TI website.
TI has also called on FIFA as world football’s governing body to publish in full the investigation into bribery allegations surrounding the voting for host countries for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups; and introduce independent due diligence for senior posts in federations across the globe.
Meanwhile in the UK, police have launched a campaign ahead of the World Cup to help encourage responsible drinking. Figures show that during the World Cup reports of some offences increase, such as domestic abuse, drink-related violence and anti-social behaviour. During the last tournament in 2010, reports of domestic abuse rose by more than 30 per cent following the England matches and offences involving violence or criminal damage also increased.
Posters have been created that target domestic abuse, sexual offences, drink driving, and drink-related violence and criminal damage. They have been distributed to pubs, bars and other public venues by officers and are being distributed by some local councils and NHS teams.
The police will also be running a social media campaign to encourage reporting and to try to reduce the number of offences committed during this year’s tournament.
The awareness campaign will run alongside a range of operational activities, such as additional high visibility reassurance patrols in town and city centres on match days.
Avon and Somerset Chief Inspector Jeff Foreman said: “The majority of offences that increase during the World Cup are drink-related, such as a disagreement between two pub-goers that escalates into a fight or criminal damage incidents on the way home.
“We want people to go out and enjoy the matches during the World Cup but our advice is to make sure you do so responsibly.
“You don’t want to find yourself being fined, being arrested or risking a criminal conviction after a night out that got out of hand. You may also be risking a Football Banning Order if you are arrested for an offence at a match or when watching a match, which can prevent you attending future football matches and can restrict your travel at home and abroad.
“We know that the majority of football fans who go out to watch the match act responsibly and our message is to make sure you aren’t one of the minority who end up in our cells at the end of the evening.
“If we suspect an offence has been committed, including offences like domestic abuse or drink driving, we will arrest and we will look to prosecute wherever appropriate.
“And if you are a victim of domestic abuse then please do report it, we will investigate and we can help you get the support and advice you need. We will also have extra specialist staff during and after matches to respond to calls.”
