200 Ghanaian Football Fans Request Asylum in Brazil #IRepEntertain9jarBlog #TwitterTrendBlog via @myentertain9jar

Brazilian federal police say that some 200
Ghanaians have requested asylum after entering
the country on tourist visas to watch the World
Cup.

BBc reports that the Ghanaians say they are
Muslims fleeing inter-religious conflicts in their
home country. They have filed their applications
in the southern city of Caxias do Sul, in one of
Brazil’s most prosperous areas. Another 1,000
Ghanaians are expected to request refugee
status once the tournament is over, police said.
Brazilian legislation allows potential refugees to
work legally in the country once they have filed
for asylum. So, the Brazilian authorities believe
many of the Ghanaians are looking for the right
to work legally in the country.
Federal police chief Noerci da Silva Melo told the
news agency Agencia Brasil:

“This region – Serra Gaucha – is known as an
area of full employment. It has became a
magnet for foreign workers. You go through
the streets and you can see many Haitians
and Senegalese selling pirate CDs and
watches. The area is overcrowded now.”

The Ghanaian football team, known as the Black
Stars, lost two matches – to the United States
and Portugal – but drew with World Cup finalists
Germany. They failed to progress to the
knockout stages of the competition.