Brazilian bombshell Fernanda Lima, started to trend on Twitter for her hosting part in the World Cup draw, acquiring thousands of new followers on the social network.
The 36-year-old was co-hosting the World Cup draw along with her husband Rodrigo Hilbert, members of FIFA, and special guests such as Ronaldo, Pele, Zidane and Hierro.
Fernanda Lima is a Brazilian actress and model known in Brazil for appearing on game shows, and has also appeared on-screen in Brazilian films.
However, Lima found herself at the middle of a racism scandal just four days before the draw because a Sao Paulo state prosecutor had asked FIFA and the company it hired to organize Friday’s draw to explain why it chose Lima and her husband Rodrigo Hilbert to present the televised show instead of two darker-skinned actors.
FIFA released the following statement:
The selection of Fernanda Lima and Rodrigo Hilbert was mainly based on the positive experience made during the launch of the Official Emblem and the Preliminary Draw. FIFA’s stance against any form of discrimination and racism which is even enshrined in our various regulations amongst others is well known.
Fernanda Lima trending on twitter:
According to reports, Lima started trending on social media with up to 10 people posting updates about the Brazilian TV presenter every single second worldwide on Twitter.
Back to that Fernanda Lima, this is how she looks like: pic.twitter.com/GzJ0j6xbcO — Two Clasico Men (@clasicoduel) December 6, 2013
This is the Only reason I'm putting up with this show before the draw... #FernandaLima pic.twitter.com/Et2rNguPdn — Daniel Sequeira (@dsequeira21) December 6, 2013
I'm having trouble paying attention to anything but Fernanda Lima right now. #WorldCupDraw — Graeme Billinghurst (@killinghurst) December 6, 2013
Sorry can't hear what Blatter is saying, totally eyeing Fernanda Lima !!! — Srijan Choudhary (@Observant_Me) December 6, 2013
Just have Fernanda Lima on screen throughout the whole process please. #FinalDraw — Patrick Gullaci (@pg2216) December 6, 2013
WOW.. That Fernanda Lima. Brazilian girls are the best!!! — Cristiano Ronaldo (@CRonaldoNews) December 6, 2013
omfg Fernanda Lima , who are you . One of the many benefits of watching the world cup draw pic.twitter.com/eHQ0L929QJ — Shayan Habibi (@ShayanH74) December 6, 2013
Fernanda Lima presenting the World Cup draw. Really hard to stay professional. — Carlo Garganese (@carlogarganese) December 6, 2013
Originally published on VOXXI as Brazilian presenter Fernanda Lima sends social media into a frenzy
Earlier on HuffPost:
File photo of Casey Stoney from last year 
Over the weekend, FIFA President Sepp Blatter faced criticism from British women associated with soccer for his support of a Brazilian model chosen to conduct the televised draw for the  on Saturday.

, who has no previous connection to football or sport prior to her involvement as a FIFA 2014 World Cup presenter, appeared on stage wearing a gold dress with a plunging neckline and matching heels. She stood alongside secretary general of FIFA Jérôme Valcke, Blatter and soccer greats including Uruguayan  during the draw. FIFA claims they were not involved in the selection of Lima's attire.

'''' writer Frank Isola said his favorite moment of the draw was when Ghiggia dropped a ping-pong ball and Lima in her dress retrieved it.

, who was captain of  in the last Olympics told the '''': "Giving the job to a model has sent out completely the wrong message. Unfortunately I wasn't surprised. ... They could have had a woman high up in the game or else a player with proper international standing. This should have been about football." 

 broadcaster , the first woman to be a  Match of the Day commentator for the network, is quoted by the ''Sunday Telegraph'' as saying, "What a missed opportunity. Brazil have arguably the most talented female footballer in the world, the great Marta, five-time FIFA World Player of the Year. Why not use her to showcase the best of Brazil and show some of her spectacular goals?"

Live coverage of the draw in Iran cut away every time Lima was in shot because her clothes did not comport with Iranian customs.

Blatter has a history of making remarks that have been perceived as sexist, including a 2004 comment that suggested female players could get more fans by wearing tighter uniforms.

Christiano Jorge Santos, a  state prosecutor, announced prior to the draw he planned an investigation into FIFA and event organizer GEO Eventos following the related accusations of racism stemming from the selection of Lima as a presenter.  Suggestions were made that Lima was chosen because she was white.


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