FIFA cup will go on despite Brazil’s continued protests

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff called an emergency cabinet meeting over nationwide protests in which one person has died.

A reversal of the transport fare hikes that sparked the protests, as well as promises of better public services, have failed to appease demonstrators.

The rallies are linked to anger over the expense of hosting the 2014 soccer World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics while Brazilians endure high taxes, inflation, perceived corruption and poor public services.

Demonstrators have been using the slogan: "It's more than just 20 cents," a reference to the bus fare hikes that triggered a wider outpouring of anger.

However, the FIFA Confederations Cup — a test event for the World Cup in which 28 teams are expected to play a showcase tournament — has yet to be canceled, despite speculation.

“To date, neither FIFA nor the local organizing committee has ever discussed any such possibility of canceling the FIFA Confederations Cup” FIFA said in the statement.

"We have not received any request to leave from any teams," said FIFA spokesman Pekka Odriozola. "We support and we acknowledge the right to free speech and the right to demonstrate peacefully. We condemn any form of violence."

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According to Reuters, more than $26 billion of public money will be spent on the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics.

The demonstrations — taking place as Brazil hosts the Confederations Cup, a dry run for next year's World Cup tournament — have drawn close to a million people, including 300,000 in Rio de Janiero.

At least one person has been killed: a 20-year-old demonstrator run over by a car in Ribeirao Preto, in the state of Sao Paulo.

Rousseff, meanwhile, canceled a trip to Japan planned for next week to deal with the crisis. She is expected to address the nation after the cabinet meets on Friday.