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Brazil: Clashes in Sao Paulo strikes ahead of World Cup Brazil: Clashes in Sao Paulo strikes ahead of World Cup
(about 1 hour later)
Police in Brazil have used tear gas to break up protesters on the second day of a subway strike that has left Sao Paulo's transport in chaos.Police in Brazil have used tear gas to break up protesters on the second day of a subway strike that has left Sao Paulo's transport in chaos.
Some metro stations were closed and there were reports of gridlock on the streets of Brazil's largest city. Workers are demanding a 10% pay rise.Some metro stations were closed and there were reports of gridlock on the streets of Brazil's largest city. Workers are demanding a 10% pay rise.
Sao Paulo is due to host the opening match of the World Cup next week.Sao Paulo is due to host the opening match of the World Cup next week.
Football's world governing body, Fifa, said on Thursday it was confident the World Cup would be a success.Football's world governing body, Fifa, said on Thursday it was confident the World Cup would be a success.
'200km of traffic''200km of traffic'
A third of Sao Paulo's subway stations were closed on Friday morning, and traffic jams stretched more than 200km (124 miles), Reuters news agency reported.A third of Sao Paulo's subway stations were closed on Friday morning, and traffic jams stretched more than 200km (124 miles), Reuters news agency reported.
Police fired tear gas and used batons and shields at a demonstration outside Ana Rosa station in central Sao Paulo.Police fired tear gas and used batons and shields at a demonstration outside Ana Rosa station in central Sao Paulo.
A military police spokesman said officers intervened after clashes broke out between picketing strikers and commuters trying to enter the station.A military police spokesman said officers intervened after clashes broke out between picketing strikers and commuters trying to enter the station.
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has defended preparations for the World Cup.
"Everywhere in the world, these big engineering projects always go down to the wire," she told reporters on Friday.
The demonstrations would not be allowed to disrupt the tournament, she added.
Millions of people struggled to get to work on Thursday, the BBC's Katy Watson, in Sao Paulo, reports.Millions of people struggled to get to work on Thursday, the BBC's Katy Watson, in Sao Paulo, reports.
The government is under a huge amount of pressure as the only viable way for fans to reach Sao Paulo's stadium for the World Cup is on public transport, our correspondent adds.The government is under a huge amount of pressure as the only viable way for fans to reach Sao Paulo's stadium for the World Cup is on public transport, our correspondent adds.
Protest cancelled
Fifa officials were among those caught in traffic jams for hours during Thursday's strike.Fifa officials were among those caught in traffic jams for hours during Thursday's strike.
However, they said they were "confident" in the tournament.However, they said they were "confident" in the tournament.
"I'm an optimist. After the tournament kicks off, I think there will be a better mood," Fifa president Sepp Blatter said on Thursday."I'm an optimist. After the tournament kicks off, I think there will be a better mood," Fifa president Sepp Blatter said on Thursday.
Protest cancelled
Separately, on Friday, the Homeless Workers Movement called off a rally planned outside a friendly match between Brazil and Serbia on Friday afternoon.Separately, on Friday, the Homeless Workers Movement called off a rally planned outside a friendly match between Brazil and Serbia on Friday afternoon.
The activists said they took the decision after discussions with the state and local government.The activists said they took the decision after discussions with the state and local government.
The movement marched on Sao Paulo's Corinthians Stadium on Wednesday, protesting against the high cost of the tournament and demanding more government spending on health, education and subsidised transport.The movement marched on Sao Paulo's Corinthians Stadium on Wednesday, protesting against the high cost of the tournament and demanding more government spending on health, education and subsidised transport.
Brazil has seen a year of street protests against bad governance and perceived excessive spending in preparations for the World Cup and the Olympics, which Rio de Janeiro will host in 2016.Brazil has seen a year of street protests against bad governance and perceived excessive spending in preparations for the World Cup and the Olympics, which Rio de Janeiro will host in 2016.
Many Brazilians say, however, that they are tired of protests and strikes. They say the country should enjoy the unique occasion of hosting the World Cup.Many Brazilians say, however, that they are tired of protests and strikes. They say the country should enjoy the unique occasion of hosting the World Cup.
The World Cup will kick off on 12 June with a game between the hosts Brazil and Croatia.The World Cup will kick off on 12 June with a game between the hosts Brazil and Croatia.