Rio de Janeiro courts order Fla-Flu Serviços to release Maracanã for the decisive Copa Sudamericana clash between Vasco and Boca Juniors.
The saga surrounding the venue for the continental semifinal gained a new chapter on Friday night (09).
The Rio de Janeiro Court of Justice (TJRJ) intervened in the dispute and ensured that the second leg match between the club from Rio and the Argentine team will take place at the main stadium of Rio football, scheduled for October 20.
The single-judge decision was issued by Appellate Judge Marco Antônio Ibrahim, president of the 23rd Civil Chamber.
The ruling overturned the refusal imposed by the consortium managed by Flamengo and Fluminense, granting Vasco the right to play at Maracanã under the same commercial and operational terms enjoyed by the managing duo.
Public Safety and CONMEBOL Deadlines
To support the verdict, the magistrate prioritized reports from state security agencies over pitch preservation.
Both the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Specialized Battalion for Stadium Policing (Bepe) indicated that the sports venue offers superior logistics, crowd control, and urban mobility compared to other alternatives.
The urgency of the request was also dictated by the strict calendar deadlines.
CONMEBOL had set Saturday (10) as the deadline for formalizing the match venue, putting pressure on the legal proceedings.
The rapporteur highlighted:
Protection of fans and public safety carry more weight than technical issues with the pitch.
The understanding pointed out the disparity in treatment that had been applied to the Vasco club.
Next Steps and Calendar Strain
With the court’s approval, Vasco‘s management moved quickly to notify the South American confederation and begin preparations for ticket sales.
Meanwhile, the consortium responsible for the administration of Maracanã is evaluating legal measures, potentially appealing the injunction in the state court itself or seeking a reversal directly with the Superior Court of Justice (STJ) in Brasília.
If the decision is upheld, the pitch will face an intense schedule in the coming weeks.
In addition to the local derby in the Brazilian Serie A this Sunday (11) and Vasco‘s international match, Flamengo will also use the venue on October 22 to face Estudiantes in the Copa Libertadores, highlighting the logistical challenge the sports complex management will face in the short term.
