To Avoid Booing, Dilma Rousseff Will Be Shielded in the World Cup Opener

06/12/2014 - 09h15

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NATUZA NERY

TAI NALON

FROM BRASÍLIA

President Dilma Rousseff is minimally shielded against boos at the World Cup opener, but the heads of the Government do not rule out a negative reaction from the crowd.

According to a Folha investigation, members of the Executive Committee claim to be "psychologically prepared" for an embarrassment.

During the opening ceremony set by Fifa, Dilma will not make speeches or an official statement.

Not even the authorities' presentation, including the President's, listed on the schedule that circulated around members of the Government yesterday (11) will be done.

In the 2013 Confederations Cup, when Fifa President Sepp Blatter announced the begging of the championship and welcomed the Brazilian authorities there, the crowd booed when the name of Dilma, positioned at his side, was mentioned.

Blatter responded asking for respect and fair play. Afterwards, PT president only said: "I declare officially open the Brazil 2013 Confederations Cup".

This year, however, the same ceremony was not foreseen until the completion of this edition.

To replace it, three children should mark the tournament official start releasing doves at the stadium in honour of peace.

HEADS OF THE STATE

Dilma is due to arrive in Sao Paulo at late morning, after meeting the President of Chile Michelle Bacheletin, in Brasilia.

A lunch is scheduled at 12:30pm at the Marriott hotel, in Guarulhos, for the heads of State and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

According to Government members, authorities from Angola, Bolivia, Qatar, Chile, Croatia, Ecuador, Gabon, Ghana, Paraguay and Suriname have confirmed their presence.

After lunch, Dilma will fly to Itaquerão by helicopter, where she will watch the opening ceremony and the match Brazil vs Croatia.

The Ministers Aldo Rebelo (Sports), José Eduardo Cardozo (Justice) and Vinícius Lages (Tourism) will be alongside her. The President of the Supreme Court, Joaquim Barbosa, also confirmed presence at the President's box.

PSDB candidate for the Presidency, senator Aécio Neves (Minas Gerais), will watch the game on TV, in Rio. He will be at the hospital with his wife, Leticia. The couple's twin sons were born prematurely last week, and are in hospital.

PSB candidate Eduardo Campos will watch the match in Recife, with his relatives.

Translated by JULIANA CALDERARI

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