Carolina Pimentel
Reporter - Agência Brasil

Brasília – President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has signed a decree making it possible for Brazilians with a parabolic antenna to see World Cup soccer games free of charge as the decree prohibits operators from encoding the signal. It is estimated that the measure will benefit some 50 million people in the country who do not have access to cable TV.

Under the terms of transmission contracts signed by operators with the World Soccer Association (FIFA), the signals must be encoded. However, the presidential decree overrides FIFA.

Translation: Allen Bennett