Brazilians demonstrate to vent anger over World Cup costs

PanARMENIAN.Net - Brazil's opening Confederations Cup match was affected by protests at the amount of money the country is using to stage next year's World Cup, BBC Sport reported.

Up to 1,000 Brazilians demonstrated outside the country's national stadium to vent their anger.

Police used tear gas and pepper spray to control protestors, who moved closer to the stadium as fans arrived for a match in which Brazil beat Japan 3-0.

There were also reports rubber bullets were used, with 15 arrests made.

Demonstrators held up posters reading: "We don't need the World Cup" and "We need money for hospitals and education".

The Confederations Cup is a dress rehearsal for the World Cup next year and the stadium in Brasilia used for the inaugural match was one of the most expensive of the six built, costing around £380m.