The NFL International series is set to debut in Sao Paulo, Brazil with the Packers vs Eagles clash. But it won’t bring the usual Friday night football feels. The game’s set to take place despite some serious controversies concerning the stadium, the safety, and the ‘color’ of the jersey. However, it’s not just the gridiron problems that are concerning the game, but off-the-field problems as well.

One major issue is the X ban. It came in after the country asked Elon Musk and Co. to ban/restrict certain profiles. Their denial caused the Brazilian Justice system to ban one of the world’s most-used social media platforms throughout the country. The court has even doubled down on its initial decision as AP from Rio De Janeiro reported: “Brazil’s Supreme Court panel upholds judge’s decision to block billionaire Musk’s social media platform X nationwide.” 

But the whole ‘Elon Musk vs the Brazilian Justice system’ does not bother the pigskin fanatics as much as the thought of lack of coverage/reporting of the Packers vs Eagles game does. And it’s true. X has been the source of on-ground, live, minute-to-minute reporting. The absence of it would mean a loss of crucial updates. Hence why, there is an uproar among fans. Many are calling for the league to boycott Brazil as one user wrote: “NFL should boycott the game tbh. Why should Americans be playing in an authoritarian country?”

Ian Rapaport did try to lighten the mood after the latest court ruling with a rather humorous tweet, “In-game tweets from the press box on hiatus?” But it cannot mask the reality of the situation, one that’s loud and clear: it’s not looking good for the Week 1 opener for both teams. Why? Mike Florio answered that perfectly in his editorial for NBC Sports. He emphasized that during the game, fans use X as their primary source of communication. Right from getting the updates to conveying their emotions. And the ban would hinder that during the Packers vs Eagles clash. It will affect how “real-time commentary, news, images, and video” are shared across the U.S. and beyond.

Fed up with constant updates regarding the latest one from the Brazil jurisdiction, one fan commented, “Why is this game even happening at this point?” Another fan wrote, “If the NFL had any dignity or principles, they’d move the game out of Brazil.” And it’s this comment that highlights that there are bigger problems out there, and the X ban it’s just one part of it. From which even the players are feeling the heat ahead of the game.

AJ Brown talks about the ‘Dos and Don’ts’ ahead of Packers vs Eagles

Home away from home. That’s what this game is for the Eagles. And as for the Packers, the away trip that they would pretty much love to avoid. But the game’s the game. And despite everything put down, Packers vs Eagles will kick off on the 6th of September, Friday, 8:15 p.m. ET, at the Arena Corinthians. On top of that, AJ Brown has noted that the Eagles had a team meeting where they ran through all the ‘Dos and the Don’ts’ guidelines.

When you have to sit in a meeting discussing the safety and security guidelines, you know something’s really not right. And it’s not. “We had a meeting yesterday. But after hearing all this stuff, I’m probably going to be in my room.” And that would be wise to do. But for those who think that the meeting was an exaggeration. Well, it was not. It was especially crucial as the country’s Environment Minister, Marina Silva, made alarming yet truthful remarks, acknowledging that Brazil is not a ‘safe haven’ and is currently at war “against fire and crime.”

Amidst the chaos, one can’t help but wonder: Is it really wise to conduct the game here? Fans raise a valid point. With bans on contact, media sharing restrictions and concerns over player safety, it’s not an ideal situation.