RIO DE JANEIRO: After an embarrassing brush with cancellation, the iconic Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro will host its first official match since an extensive renovation programme when Brazil tackle England today in a glamorous friendly.
A local judge ruled on Thursday that the game could not go ahead as it did not meet minimum safety requirements, only for the decision to be overturned after city authorities scrambled an appeal.
The Rio State government later explained that a mandatory safety report had not been sent to the relevant local authority due to a “bureaucratic failure”.
The cancellation saga was the latest unedifying setback in the story of the stadium’s refurbishment, which has been beset by delays and disputes since works costing close to $600 million (460 million euros) began 30 months ago.
The stadium was officially opened on April 27 when teams led by Brazilian greats Ronaldo and Bebeto played an exhibition match in front of a limited crowd of 25,000, but today’s game will be the first time that a full audience of paying spectators is admitted.
The arena retains its famous circular shape and monolithic concrete shell, but it has a new roof and its two tiers have been replaced by a single tier of vibrantly coloured yellow, sky blue and white seats.
Built for the 1950 World Cup, in which the hosts succumbed to a traumatic 2-1 defeat by Uruguay in the deciding game, the stadium has witnessed some of the greatest feats of Brazilian superstars such as Pele and Zico.
The renovated ground has an all-seater capacity of 78,838 -- having accommodated crowds of up to 200,000 in its heyday -- and is scheduled to host four matches at this month’s Confederations Cup, as well as seven World Cup games next year, including the finals of both tournaments.
Brazil’s preparations for the World Cup have been dogged by concerns about the nation’s readiness to host the tournament, but there are also fears that the team itself may not be ready in time.
Luiz Felipe Scolari, who led Brazil to World Cup glory in 2002, returned as national coach late last year following the dismissal of Mano Menezes, but he has overseen just one win in his five matches to date.
With Brazil spared from the gruelling CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying competition by virtue of being hosts, Scolari has only the Confederations Cup and a scattering of friendly matches in which to hone a team capable of claiming the country’s sixth World Cup.
After playing England today, Brazil meet France in Porto Alegre on June 9, with further friendlies against Switzerland, Portugal and Argentina scheduled after the Confederations Cup.
Today, star striker Neymar is expected to make his first appearance for the national team since the revelation that he is to join Spanish giants Barcelona from Santos in a transfer that is reported to be worth up to $60m.
Scolari’s first game in his second stint as national coach was a 2-1 loss to England at Wembley in February, and Brazil defender David Luiz, who plays for English club Chelsea, anticipates another testing assignment when the teams resume hostilities.
“It’s a team of great players, which mixes experience and youth,” he said. “It’s going to be a tough game. I think they will defend more because the sun will be strong.”
England’s last game in Rio was a 2-0 friendly win in 1984 that featured a stunning solo goal by former Liverpool winger John Barnes.
Meanwhile, the “caxirola”, Brazil’s percussion answer to South Africa’s plastic vuvuzela horn, will be banned from stadiums during the Confederations Cup and the World Cup for safety reasons, authorities said yesterday.
“The secretariat of major events decided that from a public safety standpoint, it would not be appropriate to allow it inside stadiums,” Justice Minister Jose Eduardo Cardozo said in a brief statement to the press.
He added that the ban was communicated to the World Cup organizers and would be enforced during next year’s World Cup.
Monday, Medeiros Hilario, the official on the Cup’s Organizing Committee who is in charge of security, said: “Fans will not be allowed in stadiums with musical instruments and that includes the caxirola.”
“We will apply this measure during friendly games, then during the Confederations Cup,” which will be held in Brazil from June 15-30, he added. The ban will become effective from Sunday when Brazil and England clash in a friendly match at Rio’s iconic Maracana stadium. The decision followed an April 28 incident during which irate fans hurled dozens of caxirolas on the pitch during a match between Bahia and Vitoria. AGENCIES
