Bus Hired for São Paulo FC Stopped With Drugs in Bolivia
Listen to the story
A bus that had been hired to transport the Brazilian football club São Paulo in Bolivia was seized by police after they found around 86 kg of marijuana hidden on board.
The bus belonged to a company that had been contracted by São Paulo to move the team while it was in Bolivia. It is not clear from reports exactly when the bus was going to collect the team.
After the seizure, the company released a version of events, explaining what it believes happened with the drugs found in the vehicle.
In its statement, the company said that São Paulo Football Club had nothing to do with the drugs and should not be blamed. The club was described as being exempt from responsibility.
The case is still being looked at by authorities, and it is unclear if anyone connected to the bus company will face further legal action.
This kind of incident, involving vehicles used by football clubs during trips abroad, can create concern for teams travelling in South America, even when the club itself is not involved in any wrongdoing.
São Paulo is a well-known Brazilian club, and its away trips to other South American countries are common during international club competitions.
Vocabulary10 words
- seized
- taken away by police because of a crime
- marijuana
- an illegal drug made from a plant
- company
- a business that gives services, like transport
- contracted
- hired through an official agreement
- version
- one side's explanation of an event
- exempt
- not responsible; free from blame
- authorities
- official groups, like police, in charge of law
- legal action
- steps taken through courts or police because of a crime
- away trips
- when a team travels to play in another city or country
- incident
- an event, often unexpected or serious
Quiz
Answer key
1. About 86 kg of marijuana 2. The club had nothing to do with the drugs 3. True
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
A bus that had been hired to transport the Brazilian football club São Paulo in Bolivia was _____ by police after they found around 86 kg of _____ hidden on board.
The bus belonged to a company that had been _____ by São Paulo to move the team while it was in Bolivia.
After the seizure, the company released a _____ of events, explaining what it believes happened with the drugs found in the vehicle.
In its statement, the company said that São Paulo Football Club had nothing to do with the drugs and should not be blamed. The club was described as being _____ from responsibility.
The case is still being looked at by _____, and it is unclear if anyone connected to the bus company will face further _____.
This kind of _____, involving vehicles used by football clubs during trips abroad, can create concern for teams travelling in South America.
São Paulo's _____ to other South American countries are common during international club competitions.
Discussion questions
- Why might drug traffickers try to use vehicles hired by football clubs?
- How could this kind of incident affect the reputation of a football club, even if it is not involved?
- What steps might clubs take when hiring transport in foreign countries to avoid similar problems?
- Do you think the explanation given by the bus company is likely to be believed by authorities? Why or why not?