«Your share in this estate»: Brazilian football and globalization

Abstract

Globalization has had an alarming impact on Brazilian football. The establishment of a world market for the purchase and sale of players has transformed Brazil into a store of star footballers for export. The national championship has been weakened, and the more traditional clubs are facing a crisis, generating protest and frustration amongst supporters. The high value of football merchandise for the sporting goods industry and for TV creates strong pressure (in the name of security) for the «domestication» of supporters, who are now viewed as consumers. Police forces are called in to help with this task, and a structure of surveillance and control is being put in place.