FIFA is under pressure to allow sales of a native Brazilian sandwich in stadiums at the 2014 World Cup amid allegations that the governing body is bowing to corporate sponsors such as McDonald's.

The row centers on acaraje, an iconic black-eyed pea fritter from the state of Bahia, and a FIFA regulation that bars street vendors within a two-kilometer radius of World Cup venues.

A petition circulated by the Association of Bahian Female Acaraje Vendors (ABAM) is demanding that FIFA guarantees space inside stadiums for its members.

Acaraje, a fritter which is split and stuffed with caramelized onions and shrimp, was declared a cultural heritage of Brazil in 2005.

ABAM and its supporters say the restrictions were imposed to protect the interests and hamburger sales of McDonald's, and argue that it would be outrageous to bar acaraje, particularly in the Fonte Nova Stadium of the Bahian state capital Salvador.

"Clearly security, hygiene and healthy food must be of concern to organizers of such a major event, but this must not be influenced by the interests of sponsors such as McDonald's," said the petition sent by ABAM president Rita Santos.

"We want Bahian women vendors and acarajes at the 2014 World Cup."

AFP - Global Times