Published on 12:00 AM, June 20, 2020
Football back in Brazil
Flamengo players vie for the ball with Bangu players during their match at the iconic Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday. The Carioca Championship fixture, played behind closed doors, ushered the resumption of football as the city started to ease its social distancing measures. Photo: AFP
Reuters, Rio de Janeiro
Brazilian football resumed after a three-month hiatus on Thursday night, with Flamengo beating Bangu 3-0 at an empty Maracana stadium in the first game of the restarted Rio de Janeiro state championship.
The match marked the return of Brazil's state leagues, most of which were halted in March as the novel coronavirus spread.
The resumption in Brazil has caused controversy, with two top clubs, Botafogo and Fluminense, saying they will not turn up for scheduled games this weekend.
Thursday night's game at the Maracana began after the two sides arrived to be met by a handful of fans, some of whom were protesting the policies of Brazil's far-right president, and others who carried placards celebrating the 70th anniversary of the stadium.
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