Court Orders Maracanã Released for Vasco v. Boca Juniors

Overview

• A Rio de Janeiro appellate judge on Friday granted an urgent injunction directing Fla‑Flu Serviços to make the Maracanã available for Vasco’s Copa Sul‑Americana semifinal with Boca Juniors on October 20.
• The judge said the safety of fans and the surrounding area outweighed the concessionaire’s agronomic arguments about pitch preservation and cited formal recommendations from the Polícia Militar and the MPRJ.
• CONMEBOL published the Maracanã as the official venue and Vasco promptly opened ticket sales for the match after receiving the court’s decision.
• Fla‑Flu Serviços called the ruling 'juridicamente insustentável' and announced it will pursue immediate appeals, stressing technical reports and a packed October calendar that include several high‑profile matches.
• The dispute now hinges on potential appeals and any state response, which could reshape venue plans, affect stadium maintenance windows and create last‑minute logistical risks for the clubs and local authorities.