The world game shame.

Last night l happened to catch a Four corners story that horrified, repulsed and strengthened my resolve all at the same time.

This story was about Brazil and the world cup and the Grand Canyon sized chasm between the billions of dollars being spent to host the world cup while millions of Brazilian citizens still live in extreme poverty.

The story followed a fourteen year old girl who was selling herself for sex because she was so poor. How can anyone put a game ahead of the welfare of children?

The story also said that sex tourism is going to increase during the world cup; Sex is such a beautiful thing and should not be corrupted in this way. Children everywhere deserve the right to be children!

Since soccer is called the world game why didn't FIFA choose a host that represents the best the world has to offer?

I have said this many times but after the story last night I will repeat it again how long is it going to take for us all to put humanity at a higher value than money?

Sexploitation is wrong and we all can do our bit to end the extreme poverty that makes this ugly practice possible.

The Brazilian government argues that the money the world cup brings in will help the people in the slums long term but surely the billions spent on the world cup should have been used to help the people rather than such a useless spectacle of entertainment.   

I am more determined than ever to help to continue the movement to end extreme poverty after seeing this story, so if any of you are watching the world cup take a second to think about the young people who are selling themselves mere meters from the stadium in which the world’s attention is focused.

I will never forget Brazil’s world game shame and neither should you.

“Remember to keep the wheels of life turning in your direction!”