Coronavirus: Brazil's athletes deaf to President Bolsonaro's calls

Text by: Annie Gasnier Follow

In Brazil, sports life is paralyzed, as elsewhere, because of the Covid-19 pandemic. And despite calls from President Jair Bolsonaro to resume a normal life.

Publicity

" Thanks to my athletic past, if I were infected, I wouldn't worry because I wouldn't feel anything, just a little flu, or a cold, " said the President of Brazil in his recent speech to the nation. This former soldier who has already been filmed in public, doing push-ups in a suit and tie, believes that the virus only affects people over the age of 60.

Despite his 65 years, Jair Bolsonaro, therefore calls for the resumption of activity in his country, criticizing the policy of " scorched earth " that provokes " mass containment ". The presidency has even launched a campaign “For the end of confinement” in the national media. But for now, the head of state has not been listened to.

The governors of 26 states of the federal republic prefer to comply with the prevention directives of the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization. Economic life is slowing down, that of athletes at a standstill.

Dani Alves challenges Bolsonaro

Only one famous athlete, Dani Alves, worried, and dared to challenge the president. The former PSG and Barça footballer, who now wears the colors of the Sao Paulo FC club, therefore wrote on social networks: " Mr. President, I very much respect your presidency [...] but (. ..) as one of the most important people of this country, you must also bring good to our country and our people "ending with this formula #StayALyHouseForLoveLoveYourLoved Ones.

" For the president it's easy to speak, " indignant Jonathas Cristian de Jesus, the first Brazilian professional sportsman to be a victim of the Covid-19. " Even being an athlete, I suffered a lot, so imagine someone older, " explained the daily Folha de Sao Paulo this former footballer of Corinthians, who plays in Spain in Elche (2nd division club).

Other athletes from the Olympic world, relieved by the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics, also preferred to advocate caution, and confinement. " In any case, the president may say, everything is paralyzed here, the sportsmen protect themselves, they are voluntarily in quarantine ", observes, from his home in Sao Paulo, the confined sports journalist and editorial writer Juca Kfouri.

Neymar is controversial

Finally, not everyone is confined or alone. On the contrary, Neymar, who returned to Brazil following the measures announced in France on March 16, is seen in motion! And little concerned, in a state that imposes confinement, barrier gestures touted by his teammate Marquinhos on a PSG video.

The number 10 de la Seleção was seen at the supermarket in the small and historic seaside town of Angra dos Reis, south of Rio where he has a large house. And photos posted on his Instagram account show him after a volleyball match on the sand, with a group of friends and his son Davi-Lucca. Photos that immediately provoked criticism, while his Twitter account continues to advocate " gestures that save " and he was filmed applauding health workers.

On these social networks, he is asked, like Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi, to make a donation in favor of the fight against the coronavirus.

The National Championship in question

In any case, there are no more competitions or championships in Brazil. Football executives have just given players vacation time, until mid-April, before considering possible pay cuts. Discussions are taking place around the State Championships, which were stopped on the 10th day on March 16, and are threatened with being canceled if the confinement continues.

The Brazilian Football Confederation would like to ensure the 38 days of the national championship, the Brasileirão, which kicks off on May 2. At least according to the calendar before the arrival of the virus.

Newsletter With the Daily Newsletter, find the headlines directly in your mailbox

Follow all international news by downloading the RFI application

• Coronavirus
• Sports
• Brazil
• our selection
• Jair Bolsonaro

On the same subject

Coronavirus: in Brazil, President Bolsonaro persists in denial

Brazil: Jair Bolsonaro declares coronavirus "public calamity"

Pro-Bolsonaro protests in Brazil defeat coronavirus threat