March 17 – The state federations of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo have suspended their state championships following the CBF’s decision on Sunday to postpone matches indefinitely.
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) imposed stronger measures to combat the outbreak of the coronavirus at the end of the weekend after clubs protested that playing behind doors was not enough and risked the health of players. That move was applauded in Brazil, if not in all quarters, but the state federations still control state championships, local tournaments that dominate the Brazilian calendar until April.
On Monday, the two biggest state federations in Brazil, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo followed in the CBF’s footsteps to suspend their respective state championships. The Paulista federation took the decision to postpone their state championship indefinitely following consultations with the clubs.
In Rio de Janeiro a decision was also taken unanimously, even if Flamengo and Vasco Da Gama had initially planned to vote against the measure to suspend the Carioca championship. In Rio, football has been suspended for 15 days.
Flamengo coach Jorge Jesus has tested positive for the coronavirus, but a second test came back inconclusive. The Portuguese, 65, has gone in self-isolation.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1713519629labto1713519629ofdlr1713519629owedi1713519629sni@o1713519629fni1713519629