Vasco denied at the Maracanã for third time, turn to São Januário | OneFootball

Vasco had its formal request to play at the Maracanã rejected this Monday (28) by the stadium’s management for the second leg of the Copa Sudamericana semifinal against Boca Juniors, scheduled for October 20. Faced with yet another refusal orchestrated by the rivals who run the public venue, the club’s board stepped up behind-the-scenes efforts to assert its right to host the historic decider at the cauldron of São Januário.

The refusal imposed by the management controlled by Flamengo and Fluminense through the Fla-Flu Consortium marks the third straight block this season. Previously, the managers had already barred matches against Vitória and Palmeiras, both in the Copa do Brasil, once again citing the need to preserve the pitch and the excess of matches on the calendar to close the gates of the state arena.

+ Pedrinho wants Vasco vs. Boca at São Januário and urges Conmebol: “I ask that you authorize it”

New veto from the consortium and outrage from the board

Although legal action has not been entirely ruled out by Vasco, the board refuses to enter into a draining court battle over a right already established in a memorandum with the administrators. President Pedrinho and his peers believe the club is being arbitrarily targeted and prefer to focus political efforts on ensuring the clash against the Argentinians takes place in the stands of São Januário.

South American football’s governing body requires stadiums with a minimum capacity of 30,000 fans for the semifinals, but time is running out for the clubs before the first leg scheduled for October 13 at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires. The confederation requires a decision on the venue for the return leg by the start of next month, setting a deadline of ten days before the match for official approval of the host stadium.

Pedrinho’s appeal and pressure on Vasco

To overturn the Conmebol veto and secure Vasco’s qualification, the club president is betting on direct talks with the opposing club to accommodate visiting fans at São Januário: “I will try to increase the away section at São Januário. I have a good relationship with Riquelme. We will try to give Boca supporters all the support at São Januário. I ask the president of Conmebol to have a little flexibility and authorize me to play at São Januário.”

While the other semifinal bracket determines the qualifier between Atlético-MG and Montevideo City Torque, the behind-the-scenes mobilization in Rio de Janeiro is expected to heat up until the stadium is confirmed. The coaching staff and players expect to keep their heads straight to chase a big result away from home and decide the ticket to the grand final in Barranquilla in front of their own fans.

Vasco wants to play at home – Photo: Matheus Lima/Vasco

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