BRAZIL: FOOTBALL/SOCCER; WORLD CUP 2014: Security beefed up as 20,000 US fans expected for the game against Portugal

Record ID: 336755

  • Title: BRAZIL: FOOTBALL/SOCCER; WORLD CUP 2014: Security beefed up as 20,000 US fans expected for the game against Portugal
  • Date: 22nd June 2014
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) COMMANDER OF AMAZONIA MILITARY POLICE, ALMIL DAVID, SAYING: "For each game we assess the situation, we assess the risks. For the United States, we have a lot of people set to attend the game, a lot of people who want to attend the game, and the locals also want to get in touch with the players from the United States and Portugal."
  • Embargoed: 7th July 2014 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Brazil
  • Country: Brazil
  • Topics: Crime,Space,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA6ENLUKLHKQVWELIUZHGJ5W9LW
  • Story Text: 20,000 US soccer fans were expected in Manaus on Sunday (June 22) to watch their team play against Portugal, Amazonia military police commander Almil David said.
    Because of the high number of fans expected, security has been beefed up with hundreds of troops in and outside the Amazonia stadium. Amazonia military police have even inaugurated a new water cannon truck for the occasion.
    Because of the remoteness of Amazonia regional capital the truck had to be transported on a boat for part of the journey.
    "For each game we assess the situation, we assess the risks. For the United States, we have a lot of people set to attend the game, a lot of people who want to attend the game, and the locals also want to get in touch with the players from the United States and Portugal," David said.
    David said the security forces include a quick response team, horse police, riot police, police trained for civil disturbances, a helicopter.
    The FBI has been working with Brazil's federal police to ensure the best possible security and a joint command centre has been set up, David added,
    "We are working together with American police, there is an integrated command centre, and you also have federal police working together with American forces, including the FBI also work together with Brazil's federal police,"
    American tourists walking around the stadium were looking forward to the game.
    "We just hope USA win, we are expecting a good game and hopefully we will play a little more dominant that we played against Ghana and take it to Portugal today and get a win," Jason Brown said.
    The Portugal team was crushed by Germany and their most famous player -- often cited as the world's best player - Cristiano Ronaldo will be key to the Portuguese game.
    But US soccer fans Patrick Vickery and Joey Regan said they were confident their team would win despite Ronaldo.
    "One man doesn't make a team and I think that's the difference between us and Portugal because we play 11 strong, they run off the back of Ronaldo," Vickery said.
    "You know Portugal has their injured players, And their players who are not around because of the red card. And Ronaldo he is no Dempsey, no Dempsey. We have Dempsey, they have Ronaldo, it will be ok I think. I think we will win," Rogan said.
    Most Brazilians will however support Portugal. The ties between the two countries, that share the same languages, are strong with many Brazilians living in Portugal and Portuguese living in Brazil.
    "I hope Portugal play well, get a good score, 2-1 for Portugal. I love Portugal, it's the country, I have relatives in Portugal and I will support Portugal!"
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