Brazilian Neymar has backed protests which have dogged the Confederations Cup.
Rio de Janeiro -
Brazilian football star Neymar on Wednesday joined his Selecao teammates
in backing escalating social protests across the country, and chided
President Dilma Rousseff's government for failing to deliver adequate
social services.
“Saddened by all that is occurring
in Brazil,” Neymar wrote in a statement issued hours before Brazil was
to face off against Mexico in their second Confederations Cup match in
the northeastern city of Fortaleza.
“I always had faith that it would
not be necessary to come to the point of having to take to the streets
to demand better conditions for transport, health, education and
security,” he noted.
“All this is the OBLIGATION of the government,” he wrote.
Brazil has been rocked this week
by the biggest protests in 20 years over the $15 billion being invested
in the Confederations Cup and next year´s World Cup while education and
health are underfunded.
The demonstrators have also been railing against higher mass transit fares and a political class widely viewed as corrupt.
Neymar stressed that he wanted a country that is “more just, safer, healthier and more honest.”
He said he and his teammates would be inspired by the mass protests when they play against Mexico later in the day.
On Tuesday, teammate David Luiz
also spoke out in support of the mass protests, saying: “I'm in favor
of demonstrations without violence.”
“Citizens have a right to express
their opinions and the fact they're not happy. It's a way of achieving
their demands and improving the situation in the country.”
Dani Alves, another Selecao player, also gave his backing.
On his Instagram online
photo-sharing account, he posted a picture of a human eye made to
resemble the yellow and green national flag, with the motto “Order and
Progress” written across the pupil.
“Order
and Progress without violence for a better Brazil, a peaceful Brazil, an
educated, healthy, honest and happy Brazil,” he wrote.
Fellow player Hulk also offered
support but rejected the notion that the demonstrations represented a
protest against the World Cup. - Sapa-AFP
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