More than a million people are estimated to have been involved in protests across the nation over rising transport costs, the country's ongoing issues with corruption and the cost of hosting next year's FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Protestors were repelled with tear gas, pepper spray and rubber bullets in the latest wave of violence to sweep Brazil, and an 18-year-old man died in Sao Paolo state after apparently being hit by a car driven by a man attempting to break up the group of around 20,000 protesters in Riberao Preto.

Protestors have been met with teargas, rubber bullets and pepper spray in clashes with police

Both events are estimated to cost around $30 billion (£20 billion/€23 million) to host, though this figure could be much higher in reality.

Brazilian media outlets reported this morning that the Confederations Cup, which sees the winners of each Continental Championship face each other in a group and knockout stage tournament, could be abandoned due to the ongoing protests.

"FIFA will claim compensation from Brazil if the Confederations Cup has to be suspended." claimed a headline on the website of Brazilian Central News (CBN).

Protestors gather outside the National Stadium in the Brazilian capital of Brasilia before the opening game of the Confederations Cup






A report by CBN claims that one of the teams competing in the tournament - believed to be Italy - wants to leave the country over concerns about the safety of their family and friends that have travelled to watch their matches.

The wife of Brazilian international goalkeeper Julio César - who currently plies his trade at Queen's Park Rangers in the Premier League but is widely expected to move to London rivals Arsenal when the Confederations Cup concludes - was robbed at gunpoint in Fortaleza on Wednesday (June 19), and FIFA also confirmed that six Spanish players had their rooms broken into and burgled whilst they were playing Uruguay on the opening day of the tournament.

"We know there was a report, a police report and this was being dealt with by the relevant authorities, we have been in touch also with the team," FIFA spokesman Pekka Odriozola told a briefing.

"We are waiting to hear from the authorities.

"[We] don't have all details.

"We know there was an incident and the police are investigating."

Around one million people are believed to have been involved in the protests that have swept Brazil

But FIFA nvertheless have moved to deny the claims that the tournament will be cancelled in a statement.

"To date, neither FIFA nor the Local Organising Committee have ever discussed any such possibility of cancelling the FIFA Confederations Cup," it said.

The world football governing body also released a seperate statement, condemning the ongoing violence and denying the rumours of nations wanting to leave the tournament. 

"FIFA supports and acknowledges the right of free speech and to demonstrate peacefully and condemns any form of violence," they said. 

"FIFA is in constant contact with local authorities and have full trust in security arrangements and we'll continue to monitor situation.

"FIFA in constant contact with all stakeholders, including teams.

"FIFA has not received any requests to leave Brazil, from any team."

The Confederations Cup is due to be back in action tomorrow when Italy are scheduled to face host nation Brazil, and Japan take on Mexico in Belo Horizonte.

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