Flamengo decide to hold Taça Rio game behind closed doors | OneFootball

The Taça Rio game between Flamengo and Portuguesa RJ is taking place behind closed doors at the Maracanã on Saturday.

Flamengo made the late decision to deny supporters access to the venue as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect sporting events globally.

In addition to playing the game in an empty stadium, the Rubro-Negro also announced that manager Jorge Jesus will not give his usual press conference after the game.

A statement released by the club read: “There will be no press conference with coach Jorge Jesus after Flamengo x Portuguesa. The coach will speak exclusively to Fla TV at the end of the match.”

FERJ, the body that manages all the official football tournaments within the state of Rio de Janeiro, had already decided that there will be no interviews at this weekend’s matches.

Flamengo have ramped up their response to the COVID-19 crisis after a club official, Maurício Gomes de Mattos, tested positive for the virus.