RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – There will be a public presence in the final match of Copa América between Brazil and Argentina, next Saturday, July 10, at Maracanã stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
The measure desired by the American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) was accepted by the City Hall of Rio de Janeiro and is contained in a decree published this Friday, 9, in the Official Gazette.
Attendance will be limited to 10% of the stadium capacity (about 6,000 people, therefore). Everyone must be seated and maintain a minimum spacing of two meters between each person or family, says the decree.
CONMEBOL, which had already managed to include “VIP fans” in the final of the last Libertadores Cup, in the same stadium, has committed to performing Covid-19 tests on everyone entering the stadium within 48 hours before the game (i.e., the tests should have already been performed). Whoever tests positive will be barred.
Contacted by PLACAR sports magazine, Conmebol, which, as soon as Brazil was confirmed as a host, guaranteed that there would be no spectators at the tournament, has not responded on the matter so far. The Maracanã organization, on the other hand, said it “is aware of the moves that are being made, but has not yet been officially communicated by the organization of the event.”
This morning, at a press conference, Mayor Eduardo Paes confirmed the measure “on an exceptional basis”. He said that the organization would be different from what happened in the Libertadores when fans were crowded together. “We had the final of the Libertadores Cup, we allowed 5,000 guests.
They concentrated all in one sector of Maracanã, which was a problem, which is why the City fined them. The change is this: 10% of each stadium sector, with large spacing between people. From what I understand, they are all guests of Conmebol and will be tested,” said Paes.
The mayor also denied having received external pressure. “I don’t know anyone from Conmebol or CBF. I heard about the request through the press; the Health Secretariat decided with complete freedom. There was no pressure of any kind. The rules are quite acceptable. We don’t see a problem.”
He also confirmed that CONMEBOL wished to hold the final with 50% of capacity occupied by the public. “We don’t think this is adequate. We released only 10% of each sector of the stadium to avoid crowding.”