Vasco da Gama battles for Maracanã use against Boca Juniors

Vasco da Gama is engaged in a legal battle to secure the Maracanã stadium for its Copa Sul-Americana semifinal match against Boca Juniors, scheduled for October 20. The club's direct lawsuit against the stadium's administrator, Consórcio Fla-Flu, was suspended by a judge to avoid conflicting decisions with a separate popular action filed by a supporter.

Consórcio Fla-Flu has opposed the use of the stadium, citing technical concerns regarding pitch degradation. The administrators argue that hosting the match would result in three games within five days, preventing necessary recovery for the grass, which was recently impacted by NFL events. They have suggested the Nilton Santos stadium as a viable alternative.

In response, Vasco is pursuing two main paths. First, the club is attempting to overturn the suspension of its legal action. Second, it is seeking to use its own stadium, São Januário, as a backup. The Fire Department has approved a project to expand São Januário's capacity to 24,155 spectators, including a section for 4,000 visiting fans, though the total remains below the 30,000 capacity required by CONMEBOL. Vasco must officially notify CONMEBOL of its chosen venue by October 5.