Maracanã CEO Fred Nantes cites pitch in rejecting Vasco, no request for Palmeiras semi | OneFootball

Maracanã CEO Fred Nantes said on Friday that recent refusals to let Vasco use the stadium were driven by technical issues with the pitch.

According to Globo.com, Nantes added that Vasco have not submitted a request to stage November’s Copa do Brasil semi-final against Palmeiras at the Maracanã.

Asked about hosting a possible Sudamericana semi-final, he deflected and pointed to the surface shown at the briefing. He said all decisions followed those constraints, no extra event could be added, and talk of a Vasco match there was speculation without a formal approach.

Vasco’s bid to use the Maracanã for the Copa do Brasil tie with Vitória was turned down. The club went to court but did not secure a favourable ruling.

Vasco’s football director Admar Lopes said the club prefer São Januário for the Palmeiras semi-final, and that the CBF draw gave them the second leg at home.

He noted Palmeiras are highly qualified opposition, that Vasco struggled in the league meeting in São Paulo, and that knockout football is different. Lopes added they have ambition and confidence to reach the final and pursue a secondary aim of Libertadores qualification.

Source: Globo.com

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