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Football protest

Sam Cowie, Rio de Janeiro / cdJune 6, 2014

Roughly half of Brazilians do not support the World Cup, polls show. In Rio de Janeiro, some of those affected directly have formed an alternative, the Copa Popular, to oppose the big event.

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Copa Popular underway in a Rio slum
Image: picture alliance/ZUMA Press

World Cup under fire

Overspending, human rights violations, lack of transparency, corruption. Criticism abounds when it comes to Brazil's handling of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Much of it comes from locals.

In Rio de Janeiro, more than a few have experienced the problems personally, whether in the form of tear gas, pepper spray or evictions. And if they've lost their ability to support the mega-event as a result - or even their own Brazilian football team - they'll never stop being a football country.

The 'Copa Popular,' an alternative to the World Cup, is their protest, played out in the shadows of the main event.

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