Maracanã don become the venue wey go host Copa Sudamericana semi-final second leg between Vasco da Gama and Boca Juniors next Tuesday by 21:30. According to SuperDepor.com, Boca dey trail 1-0 from the first leg. Brazil Superior Court of Justice reject appeal by Flamengo and Fluminense, and that one clear road for the venue to stand.
Na the final hurdle to confirm stadium. The clubs carry their case through Fla-Flu Serviços S.A. consortium, wey dey administer, operate and maintain the stadium for Rio de Janeiro. Dem argue say if Vasco get access, e fit set risky precedent, make other clubs begin request the ground. Flamengo and Fluminense also warn say extra use fit damage pitch and affect their home fixtures. Even with those objections, courts see Maracanã as the most suitable site for this event. Vasco supporters don already take 70,000 tickets for the match. For recent hours, Conmebol assess whether to move tie go Asunción, with Defensores de Chaco among the options.
STJ president, Minister Luis Felipe Salomão, reject on Thursday 15 the request wey Fla-Flu Serviços S.A. submit to reverse decision of Court of Justice of Rio de Janeiro (TJRJ) wey authorize game between Vasco da Gama and Boca Juniors at Maracanã. The confrontation between the teams scheduled for October 20. By not knowing the suspension of the injunction, the minister conclude say STJ no fit analyze merit of the request. He talk say Fla-Flu Serviços no dey act as concessionaire or public service delegate, and the place where game go happen no reflect direct and immediate interest of public administration or community.
For monocratic decision in writ of mandamus, TJRJ accept Vasco request for match at Maracanã and determine transfer or rescheduling of basketball game between Flamengo and Botafogo wey for hold at Maracanãzinho gym, inside same complex. For the decision, among other grounds, the appellate judge understand say stadium na the only place with sufficient security to carry the match. To STJ, Fla-Flu Serviços claim say authorization of game for Maracanã, where tickets already dey sale, go worsen lawn wear because matches accumulate, plus operational and security risks due to simultaneous games inside complex or rescheduling of basketball match.
Minister Salomão explain say for request for suspension of security, na legal entity under public law or Public Prosecutor’s Office suppose seek to protect collective interest against judicial decision wey fit cause serious injury to order, health, safety or public economy. According to president of STJ, application by legal entity governed by private law wey be public service provider or dey perform delegated function of public authority fit also accepted, provided say dem prove am for defense of collective interest. For this case file, Salomão point out say Fla-Flu Serviços, society created by Clube de Regatas do Flamengo and Fluminense Football Club, no dey act as public service delegate, as society focused on economic exploitation and operation of Complexo Maracanã.
Earlier, semifinal showdown between Vasco da Gama and Boca Juniors still dey surrounded by uncertainty. As of Monday, October 12, just eight days before second leg, Brazilian club still no get definitively approved stadium for home match. Return leg scheduled for Tuesday, October 20, at 9:30 PM for Rio de Janeiro. Host city no fit change again, but venue remain under discussion.
On Friday, October 9, Vasco secure favorable court ruling wey require Fla-Flu Consortium to make Maracanã available. Club announce news on social media, CONMEBOL add stadium to official schedule, and ticket sales begin immediately. Response from fans overwhelm: Vasco sell approximately 45,000 tickets within few hours. But confirmation last less than one day. On Saturday, October 10, new ruling from Rio de Janeiro Court of Justice suspend decision wey authorize use of Maracanã. The ruling question jurisdiction of judge wey approve its use and also consider operational and security concerns raised by Fla-Flu Consortium.
On that same October 20, Flamengo and Botafogo scheduled to play basketball game at Maracanãzinho, located inside same sports complex. Stadium management consortium, made up of Flamengo and Fluminense, refuse to make venue available because of tight schedule between different events. Vasco-Boca scheduled for Tuesday, October 20, while Flamengo go host Estudiantes de La Plata on Thursday, October 22, also for second leg of continental semifinal, although in this case for Copa Libertadores. Using Maracanã go leave just 48 hours to restore grass before decisive match for Flamengo, one of clubs wey dey manage and regularly use stadium.
Current forecast call for cloudy skies and possible rain for Rio de Janeiro during that week. Although conditions fit still change, possibility of rainfall increase concerns about preserving playing surface. Most recent precedent come in February, when Flamengo and Lanús play Recopa Sudamericana in relentless rain. Match last 120 minutes, and field end up completely waterlogged.
On Monday, Vasco file new request to regain authorization to play at Maracanã. Rio de Janeiro Public Prosecutor’s Office also request say make dem reconsider suspension, arguing say stadium offer better security conditions for hosting major international match wey expected to attract large crowd. With no final ruling in place, CONMEBOL extend deadline: Vasco must confirm venue by noon Tuesday, October 13. The ultimatum go coincide with day of first leg of series. That same evening, Boca go host Vasco at La Bombonera.
