Vasco will go to court to host the Copa Sul-Americana semifinal at the Maracanã, following another rejection from the consortium managed by Flamengo and Fluminense.
The dispute over Rio de Janeiro’s football venues has gained another chapter behind the scenes. Vasco president Pedrinho confirmed that he will appeal to the courts to ensure the second leg against Boca Juniors is held at the Maracanã in the Copa Sul-Americana semifinals.
The legal step comes after another refusal by the managing consortium, run by Flamengo and Fluminense. The decisive match is scheduled for October 20, but the uncertainty over the venue has become the main urgency for the club.
Despite pursuing legal avenues to use the public concession stadium, Vasco’s management has made it clear that the team’s priority remains playing at its traditional home, São Januário.
Vasco’s order of preference
In a recent interview, the Vasco president reiterated that the ideal plan involves hosting the Argentinians at the Colina Histórica. However, this option depends on approval from public authorities to increase the away fan ticket allotment and special permission from the South American governing body.
Pedrinho stated:
“I will take legal action for the Maracanã. Today, in fact (…) My priority against Boca is São Januário, regardless of whether it’s four thousand away fans. If there is a possibility of a rejection for São Januário, I will take legal action for the Maracanã.”
Sul-Americana requirements and obstacles
CONMEBOL regulations dictate that matches from the semifinals onward require stadiums with a capacity of at least 30,000 spectators. In addition to the attendance limits at São Januário, the obligation to provide 4,000 tickets to Boca Juniors requires adjustments to the venue’s security setup.
Other options and Argentinian refusal
The third alternative on the club’s list would be Estádio Nilton Santos, managed by Botafogo. Botafogo’s board gave a positive signal regarding a stadium rental, but Boca Juniors management strongly rejected playing on a synthetic turf.
Consortium arguments and pitch wear
The official veto issued by the Maracanã administration is based on match overload. The venue has been undergoing pitch maintenance to handle the home stretch of the season after hosting dozens of matches in 2026.
Members of Flamengo’s management had already told the Equipe M360 that granting access to the venue would be unfeasible. The main argument revolves around a tight schedule and preserving the field for crucial matches involving the stadium managers.
Date conflict in Rio de Janeiro
The October schedule brings crucial fixtures. Fluminense plays in the Copa Libertadores on October 14, while Flamengo decides continental qualification against Estudiantes on October 22. A Vasco match on October 20 would leave only two days for the pitch to recover.
Time is running out for Vasco‘s planning, as the club has a deadline of October 10 to officially inform CONMEBOL of the venue. With the first leg set for the Bombonera on October 13, the court outcome will be decisive in setting the stage for the final clash in Rio de Janeiro.
Equipe M360
