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updated 11 Dec 2013, 23:38
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Tue, Dec 10, 2013
The New Paper
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Stunner steals show at World Cup draw

SINGAPORE- The world's football elite gathered to witness the draw of next year's World Cup to be hosted by Brazil.

But taking the limelight away from names such as Ronaldo and Pele, present at the event in Costa Do Sauipe, was one of the hosts of the show.

Stunning Fernanda Lima, 36, a Brazilian model and actress, sent social media website Twitter into a frenzy, the Mail Online reported.

According to reports, as many as 10 people per second around the globe were tweeting about Ms Lima, who impressed as she strode onto the stage in a gold dress showing her cleavage, and matching heels.

Perhaps Ms Lima had colour co-ordinated her outfit with the glittering gold World Cup trophy, which stood on a plinth on the stage. Some netizens took to Twitter to describe Ms Lima as "the real winner at the World Cup draw".

Another post said: "The best part of the draw is surely watching Fernanda Lima #worldcupdraw."

Said another: "In fairness Fernanda Lima did a good job on the World Cup draw. Hmm, why can't I remember (the countries each) group consists of?"

The Mirror reported that she is known in Brazil for appearing on game shows, and has also appeared in Brazilian films.

She presented the show with her long-time partner Rodrigo Hilbert. They shot to fame after filming a raunchy Brazilian commercial for a water-based personal lubricant.

But her appearance during the event kicked up a row. A Sao Paulo state prosecutor asked football's world governing body Fifa and the company it hired to organise Friday's draw to explain why it chose Ms Lima and Mr Hilbert to present the televised show, instead of two darker-skinned people.

Said Fifa in a 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."


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