Half of all underground stations were closed as transport workers walked out, demanding a 10% pay rise.

 

Angry commuters stormed the Itaquera station, nearest the stadium where Brazil will play Croatia on 12 June.

 

Police and other public sector² workers say they will also strike in the next few weeks if their demands are not met.

 

This is the latest setback³ in Brazil's preparations for the World Cup, which have been criticised by the tournament's global organisers.

 

But Fifa President Sepp Blatter has called on the Brazilian people to do all they can to support the World Cup.

 

"We at Fifa, we are confident. It will be a celebration," Mr Blatter told reporters as he arrived in Sao Paulo amid⁴ the traffic chaos.

 

The state-owned underground company has offered a 8.7% pay rise, which was rejected by the unions which declared the strike for an undetermined period.

 

The authorities⁵ said they would sack⁶ staff if they failed to meet legal requirements and keep at least 70% of public transport services running.

 

"The government will not be complacent," said Sao Paulo state Transport Secretary Jurandir Fernandes.

 

"If we gave them a 10% rise, all other state workers would demand the same," Mr Fernandes told Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper.

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