Safety Certificate for Maracana but Questions Raised Over Brazil’s Ability to Host Events

The Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro has been handed a safety certificate in time for Brazil’s friendly against England on Sunday.

The match was in doubt after a local judge issued an order saying the game could not go ahead due to safety concerns at the renovated stadium.

Judge Adriana Costa dos Santos has now reversed her ruling and a statement from Rio state government read: “All safety requirements for the friendly between Brazil and England have been complied with and, price because of a bureaucratic failure, thumb the appraisal from the public ministry that proves the compliance with the rules on safety at the Maracana have not been sent to Suderj,”

The renovation process of the 78,000 capacity stadium was completed last month, but there were fears that debris left over by construction workers could be hurled if any disturbances occurred.

Other reports suggested there were problems with the flooring.

Doubts over future events

The safety fears at the Maracana has raised further doubt as to Brazil’s ability to host the Confederations Cup, which kicks off in two weeks, the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympic Games in 2016.

In March the Joao Havelange Stadium in Rio was shut immediately and for an ‘undetermined period,’ because of safety concerns.

The stadium, which is named after the former head of FIFA who was accused of taking bribes, will be used for athletics at Rio 2016.

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