Vasco fans cause vandalism at Maracanã after elimination; stadium management races against the clock.
A trail of destruction marked Vasco da Gama‘s departure from Maracanã Stadium last Tuesday (20). Following the defeat to Boca Juniors (ARG) that sealed their elimination from the Copa Sudamericana, a section of the Vasco supporters engaged in acts of vandalism, leaving broken seats, damaged restrooms, and vandalized stickers throughout the facilities of the temple of football.
Circulating images reveal the extent of the damage, with ripped-out seats and broken objects in common areas.
The situation is further aggravated by the fact that Maracanã has another continental semifinal match scheduled for this Thursday (22), featuring Flamengo against Estudiantes (ARG).
Race against time and dispute over Maracanã
Time is the main enemy of Fla-Flu Serviços S.A., the concessionaire responsible for managing Maracanã.
With a Conmebol inspection scheduled for this Wednesday (21) and Flamengo‘s match coming up shortly after, the maintenance team has a tight deadline to repair the damage.
Pitch maintenance issues and the need for minimum intervals between matches have already been points of contention, especially after the complete replacement of the grass in early October.
The match between Vasco and Boca took place with a 48-hour window before the next semifinal, which is shorter than recommended by the concessionaire.
The property manager is not the owner, the Maraca has been ours since ’50
Read the stickers scattered around the stadium, in a clear provocation directed at the clubs that manage the venue.
This message refers to the recent legal battle fought over the right to use Maracanã, in which Vasco requested to host the match there.
On-field performance and upcoming challenges
On the pitch, Vasco failed to hold onto the lead earned in the first leg against Boca Juniors.
After winning 1–0 in Argentina, the Brazilian team suffered a comeback in Rio de Janeiro, with a final score of 3–1, resulting in a 3–2 aggregate loss to the Argentinians.
The elimination from the Sudamericana is a blow to the team, which now turns its attention to the Brazilian Serie A.
On Saturday (24), Vasco faces Corinthians, followed by a derby against Flamengo on October 29.
The incident at Maracanã adds another layer of controversy to the already intense Brazilian football calendar.
