Brazil reinforced security personnel at the World Cup's Castelao stadium in Fortaleza on Tuesday because there were not enough private security guards hired by FIFA, the international soccer governing body, the justice ministry said, according to Reuters.
Ministry spokeswoman Barbara Lobato said the "government made the decision to guarantee the safety of fans inside and outside the stadium.," Reuters reported. She said the ministry did not know the reasons behind the partial absence of guards under contract to FIFA.
Officials found there had been an insufficient number of private guards at the stadium for Saturday's Uruguay-Costa Rica match, according to Reuters.
The World Cup Organizing Committee said FIFA and the Brazilian government agreed to increase security due to the "dimension" of Tuesday's game between Brazil and Mexico, Reuters reported.
State police troops, federal police agents and members of the elite National Force were deployed at the stadium, but Lobato would not say how many troops were used, according to Reuters.
In an over zealous incident, security staff at the Maracana left a TV journalist sweating over his appearance when they confiscated the clothes hanger he was using to keep his shirt pristine for a live TV report, Reuters reported.
Bryan Swanson, Sky Sports News's top reporter at the World Cup, also had a banana taken from his bag two days ago, according to Reuters.
"We arrived nice and early to get in through the X-ray machines and metal detectors," Swanson explained. "We had a banana banned the other day and now they wouldn't allow me in with a wooden coat-hanger because they said it was a security risk, Reuters reported
"I just want to look as smart as I can and not go on television wearing a crumpled shirt. They allowed me in with all our cables - I could strangle someone with them, couldn't I?," Swanson asked, according to Reuters.
A spokesman for the local organizing committee said security at the stadium was continually being monitored, and apologized to the reporter for the inconvenience, Reuters reported.
