Sports News | Maracana Stadium to Close for Field Recovery, Hosts Copa Libertadores Final in November

Rio de Janeiri, Aug 23 (AP) Maracana Stadium will close after this weekend's Brazilian league games for field renovations ahead of the 78,000-seat venue hosting the Copa Libertadores final Nov. 4.

The first steps will be for “necessary verifications and evaluations for the planning of the works,” the stadium's administrator said in a statement on Tuesday.

Also Read | IBSA World Games 2023: Indian Men's Blind Cricket Team Defeat England by 7 Wickets in International Blind Sports Federation Event.

“The damage that has been caused cannot be reversed without an interruption (of play),” the statement said.

No timeframe was specified to re-open the stadium. Rio de Janeiro clubs fear that the closure could be lengthy.

Also Read | Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 2023: Bengaluru Blasters Continue To Lose As Hubli Tigers Savour Their Sixth Win.

Heavy rains and excessive action on the pitch over the past three months have affected play and increased the risk of injuries. Puddles formed in the penalty boxes in the latest Brazilian championship and Copa Libertadores matches in the stadium.

This year, the Maracana has hosted 55 matches, the highest number of any stadium in Brazil during that period. Stadia in Europe host on average 30 matches per season, the administrator said. (AP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)