Sao Paulo has tightened safety forward of the primary NFL sport in South America after gamers voiced issues about touring to Latin America’s largest nation, the Brazilian state stated Wednesday.
Brazil will host the sport between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Inexperienced Bay Packers on Friday at Area Corinthians in Sao Paulo, the primary NFL sport on the continent and the primary Week 1 sport held on a Friday night since 1970.
Eagles gamers have questioned safety within the metropolis, the biggest within the Southern Hemisphere.
“We had a gathering with an entire bunch of ‘do not do’s.’ So, I am simply making an attempt to go down there, win a soccer sport and are available again residence,” large receiver A.J. Brown informed reporters final week.
He stated gamers have been suggested to not stroll on the streets holding cellphones.
“Week 1, I am trying ahead to it, I can not wait,” Darius Slay Jr. stated just lately on his “Massive Play Slay” podcast. “However man, I don’t wish to go to Brazil, you wish to know why? I am right here to let you know why. They already informed us to not depart the lodge. They informed us we won’t do an excessive amount of occurring as a result of the crime price is loopy.
“… I am like, NFL why y’all wanna ship us someplace the place the crime price is that this excessive and we out the nation? You realize, the very first thing persons are considering is like some terror may probably occur. I informed my household don’t come down there as a result of I am not going to be nowhere to be discovered. I will be within the lodge chilling, minding my enterprise, taking part in my sport after an extended 9½-hour flight.”
On Tuesday night time, Slay apologized “to anybody I offended” in a publish on X.
I wish to apologize to anybody I offended, that wasn’t my intention. I am
Trying ahead to taking part in in your stunning nation and i have heard yall are very passionate identical to our wonderful Eagles fan. Only a few extra days, cannot wait!!!! #FlyEaglesFly— Darius Slay (@bigplay24slay) September 4, 2024
The Sao Paulo state authorities stated it could delegate specialised civil and navy police battalions to bolster safety throughout the sport and place law enforcement officials on streets and trains, and at subway stations, lodges and vacationer sights.
“To ensure the protection of the gamers, the navy police will reinforce the variety of personnel upon arrival of the delegations on the Guarulhos Airport and escort the groups to their lodges, coaching websites and the stadium,” it stated in an announcement. Authorities can even perform a sweep on the stadium earlier than the video games.
Brazil in 2023 ranked because the Seventeenth-most harmful nation on the planet by homicide price, based on Statista information, under Latin American friends reminiscent of Ecuador and Mexico — the place the NFL has held video games since 2005 with safety issues additionally voiced.
Sao Paulo state says the native murder price is 4 instances decrease than the nationwide common and compares to that of California, whereas standing under Washington, D.C., for instance.
Each the Eagles and Packers are departing for Brazil on Wednesday.
Reuters contributed to this report.
