COSTA DO SAUIPE, Brazil – Brazilian authorities say they've learned from demonstrations during the Confederations Cup not to let protesters get too close to stadiums at the upcoming World Cup.
Andrei Augusto Rodrigues, security head for major events at Brazil's justice ministry, acknowledged that police misjudged the threat to public safety at the Confederations Cup final in June in Rio de Janeiro.
Police under attack from violent protesters fired clouds of tear gas as the game began. Some wafted toward the Maracana Stadium, causing vendors at refreshment and souvenir stands to cough and tear up.
Protesters got within 200 yards of the stadium, packed with 70,000 spectators for the Brazil-Spain final.
Rodrigues says police wouldn't repeat the same mistakes and demonstrators at the World Cup would be kept farther away.
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