Vasco da Gama president Pedrinho is challenging venue restrictions and stadium management contracts to keep high-stakes fixtures at São Januário, arguing that public authorities maintain a double standard regarding match security. The club president stated that despite contractual agreements granting access to the Maracanã stadium, political opposition prevents its use, prompting a push for regulatory flexibility directly from CONMEBOL and tournament opponents.
Stadium Contracts and Maracanã Access Disputes
Pedrinho revealed that Vasco holds a signed contract for Maracanã usage, established to resolve past scheduling conflicts. According to the club president, that agreement includes clauses allowing Flamengo’s administration to block Vasco’s requests. When management recently filed an official request for the Maracanã with a 48-hour response window, the administration received silence. Pedrinho interpreted that lack of communication as a clear signal that authorities refuse to clear the venue for Vasco.
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Security Discrepancies at São Januário
Addressing public safety concerns, Pedrinho questioned the rationale used by civil authorities and the Specialized Police Battalion in Maracanã and Events (Bepe) to classify matches at São Januário as high risk. The Vasco president noted that the venue routinely hosts high-profile fixtures against teams such as Santos, Cruzeiro, and Corinthians without major incident. He contrasted local police guarantees for large-scale public events, noting that authorities easily secure massive New Year celebrations for one million people yet claim they cannot manage 1,500 visiting supporters in a traditional neighborhood stadium.
“The police guarantee a party for a million people on New Year’s Eve, and how can they not guarantee security for 1,500 in São Januário? And I guarantee it in all other games,” Pedrinho said.
CONMEBOL Regulations and Boca Juniors Negotiations
Looking ahead to continental competition against Boca Juniors, Pedrinho emphasized a primary preference for São Januário while acknowledging governing body requirements. Because the home stadium fails to meet certain technical criteria concerning overall capacity and visiting sector dimensions under CONMEBOL rules, the club must explore alternatives. If local authorities deny Maracanã access and refuse permits for São Januário, Pedrinho plans to seek direct compliance adaptations with CONMEBOL and open talks with Boca Juniors president Juan Román Riquelme.
“I have to request the Maracanã, because I have a contract. In case it doesn’t happen, talk to CONMEBOL for a flexibilization. I’ll try to increase the visiting area, seek a good relationship with Riquelme, whom I faced many times, so that we can serve the Boca fans with great kindness and respect,” Pedrinho explained.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can’t Vasco da Gama always play at São Januário?
While São Januário serves as Vasco’s traditional home, certain high-profile matches—particularly in continental tournaments like those organized by CONMEBOL—require specific stadium capacities and visiting section dimensions that the historic venue does not fully meet without structural adjustments or regulatory flexibilization.
What is the dispute regarding the Maracanã stadium?
Vasco holds a contractual agreement allowing use of the Maracanã, but the contract contains clauses that permit the opposing management group to block requests, a mechanism that Vasco leadership states was utilized to deny them access.
How does Vasco handle high-risk domestic fixtures?
The club regularly hosts high-risk domestic matches against major opponents like Corinthians, Santos, and Cruzeiro at São Januário under security plans coordinated with local police forces.
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