Maracanã consortium rejects Vasco request to host Boca Juniors semi-final | OneFootball

Fanático Vascaíno reports that the Maracanã consortium has rejected Vasco da Gama's formal request to stage their 20 October Copa Sudamericana semi-final against Boca Juniors at the stadium on Monday.

The stadium management, led by Flamengo and Fluminense, has now turned down Vasco three times this year, having also refused requests to host ties against Vitória and Palmeiras in the Copa do Brasil. The consortium cites the volume of matches and wear to the pitch.

Vasco have not ruled out taking the matter to court, though there is significant frustration at board level. President Pedrinho believes the club is being prevented from doing something it has the right to do, and has told associates there would be little point litigating over an issue he says is already covered by an agreement.

As a result, some at the club favour focusing efforts on playing at São Januário, which Conmebol has currently barred on capacity grounds. The competition's semi-finals require venues holding at least 30,000 spectators.

Pedrinho said he would try to increase the away allocation at São Januário and, citing his good relationship with Riquelme, pledged to support Boca fans if the game is staged there. He appealed for flexibility from the Conmebol president to authorise the stadium.

Conmebol wants a decision on the venue by early October, with regulations requiring the host arena to be confirmed 10 days in advance.

The tie begins at La Bombonera on 13, with the return to be decided in Rio de Janeiro. Atlético-MG face Montevideo City Torque of Uruguay in the other semi-final.

Source: Globo.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”