Maracana cleared

After an embarrassing brush with cancellation, the iconic Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro will host its first official match since an extensive renovation programme when Brazil tackle England on Sunday in a glamorous friendly.
A local judge ruled on Thursday that the game could not go ahead as it did not meet minimum safety requirements, only for the decision to be overturned after city authorities scrambled an appeal.
The Rio State government later explained that a mandatory safety report had not been sent to the relevant local authority due to a "bureaucratic failure".
The cancellation saga was the latest unedifying setback in the story of the stadium's refurbishment, which has been beset by delays and disputes since works costing close to $600 million (460 million euros) began 30 months ago.
The stadium was officially opened on April 27,  but Sunday's game will be the first time that a full audience of paying spectators is admitted.
The arena retains its famous circular shape and monolithic concrete shell, but it has a new roof and its two tiers have been replaced by a single tier of vibrantly coloured yellow, sky blue and white seats.
Built for the 1950 World Cup, in which the hosts succumbed to a traumatic 2-1 defeat by Uruguay in the deciding game, the stadium has witnessed some of the greatest feats of Brazilian superstars such as Pele and Zico.
The renovated ground has an all-seater capacity of 78,838 -- having accommodated crowds of up to 200,000 in its heyday -- and is scheduled to host four matches at this month's Confederations Cup, as well as seven World Cup games next year, including the finals of both tournaments.