Court denies Vasco Maracanã for Boca; Fla-Flu cites “technical reasons” | OneFootball

Vasco wanted to host Boca Juniors (ARG) at the Maracanã on October 20 in the Copa Sudamericana semifinal

A court denied Vasco’s request for an injunction against the Maracanã consortium, managed by Flamengo and Fluminense. Vasco wanted to host Boca Juniors (ARG) at the stadium on October 20 in the Copa Sudamericana semifinal. The ruling was issued on Monday (5) by Judge Adriana Marques dos Santos Laia Franco of Rio’s 2nd Civil Court.

WHAT DID THE JUDGE RULE?

According to ESPN, the judge found that Fla-Flu Serviços S.A. “provided formally documented technical reasons for the refusal.” “It is not for the courts, without adequate technical evidence, to determine how many matches the pitch can withstand over a given period,” the ruling stressed.

WHY IS THE PITCH A FACTOR IN THE REFUSAL?

The consortium’s argument concerns the condition of the pitch. Work to replace the turf began last Monday, September 28, one day after the NFL game.

The old turf was stripped away to make room for new rolls of Celebration Bermuda grass. According to the consortium, the stadium has hosted 58 matches in 2026, and Rossi and Arrascaeta had already criticized the pitch.

WHAT ARE VASCO’S ALTERNATIVES?

The deadline to notify CONMEBOL of plans to play outside the municipality of Rio expires on Monday (5). However, the deadline for choosing another stadium within the city is Saturday (10).

São Januário does not have the required 30,000 seats, and the consortium suggests the Nilton Santos stadium. However, club president Pedrinho intends to negotiate the away section with Boca Juniors’ Riquelme, though CONMEBOL must approve any arrangement.

WHAT DID PEDRINHO SAY ABOUT THE DERBY AGAINST FLAMENGO?

Because of this dispute, Vasco president Pedrinho wants to move the Brasileirão match against Flamengo to São Januário. “I’m making it clear now that, even with a contract in place, I will want Vasco versus Flamengo in the second half of the season to be played at São Januário. I’m not going to ask to play at the Maracanã anymore, because I’m not welcome,” the executive concluded.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.