World Cup anger

World Cup anger

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Brazil may have exploded with street parties as its team won the opening game of the World Cup on June 12, but scattered violent protests were a reminder that many locals remain angry over the cost of the tournament.

The run-up to the event has been marred by construction delays and political unrest, and demonstrators have marched nationwide carrying banners telling world soccer body FIFA to "go home."

. SAO PAULO, Brazil. REUTERS/Lunae Parracho

Protests flared on June 12 in many of the 12 Brazilian cities that will host games, including Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte and Sao Paulo. Some gathered more than 1,000 people, while others saw just a few dozen.

In Sao Paulo, police fired tear gas, rubber bullets and noise bombs to disperse about 600 demonstrators who gathered in the east of the city, about six miles (10 km) away from the Corinthians arena where the opening match took place.

. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. REUTERS/Pilar Olivares

Many Brazilians are furious over the $11.3 billion spent on hosting the World Cup when basic social services are poorly financed.

"We want to be the champions in healthcare, education and security, and not just in football," reads a sign held up by one demonstrator in Rio de Janeiro.

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Slideshow

Riot policemen fire tear gas at demonstrators in Sao Paulo.
. SAO PAULO, Brazil. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

Riot policemen fire tear gas at demonstrators in Sao Paulo.

Tear gas billows around a protester.
. SAO PAULO, Brazil. REUTERS/Nacho Doce

Tear gas billows around a protester.

He is detained by riot police.
. SAO PAULO, Brazil. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

He is detained by riot police.

A woman is pushed by a riot officer.
. SAO PAULO, Brazil. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

A woman is pushed by a riot officer.

A policeman shoots tear gas at protesters.
. SAO PAULO, Brazil. REUTERS/Marco Bello

A policeman shoots tear gas at protesters.

Riot police stand behind a pile of burning rubbish.
. SAO PAULO, Brazil. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

Riot police stand behind a pile of burning rubbish.

A masked demonstrator walks past flames.
. Sao Paulo, Brazil. REUTERS/Lunae Parracho

A masked demonstrator walks past flames.

A CNN journalist is taken away by emergency services after being injured in clashes.
. SAO PAULO, Brazil. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

A CNN journalist is taken away by emergency services after being injured in clashes.

A protester wears an anti-FIFA sticker on her cheek.
. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. REUTERS/Pilar Olivares

A protester wears an anti-FIFA sticker on her cheek.

A Brazilian soccer fan walks past military police at the entrance of Sao Paulo’s Tatuape metro station.
. SAO PAULO, Brazil. REUTERS/Lunae Parracho

A Brazilian soccer fan walks past military police at the entrance of Sao Paulo’s Tatuape metro station.

A military police officer strides towards a photographer inside the station.
. SAO PAULO, Brazil. REUTERS/Nacho Doce

A military police officer strides towards a photographer inside the station.

A policeman detains a protester by gripping him around the neck.
. SAO PAULO, Brazil. REUTERS/Marco Bello

A policeman detains a protester by gripping him around the neck.

Riot police pin a demonstrator to the ground in Porto Alegre.
. PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil. REUTERS/Marko Djurica

Riot police pin a demonstrator to the ground in Porto Alegre.

Police stand over two men on the floor.
. PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil. REUTERS/Marko Djurica

Police stand over two men on the floor.

A protester is detained in a police car.
. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. REUTERS/Pilar Olivares

A protester is detained in a police car.