Flamengo and Fluminense dismiss Maracanã pitch manager
Following constant complaints about the state of the Maracanã pitch, Flamengo and Fluminense have dismissed the official responsible for its maintenance.
The consortium managing the Maracanã stadium has made a significant personnel change following persistent complaints regarding the condition of the playing surface. Severiano Braga, responsible for pitch maintenance, was dismissed on Thursday, August 20.
The move follows recent public criticism from Flamengo defender Leo Pereira, who stated after the Copa Libertadores match against Cruzeiro that the poor state of the turf is actively hindering his team's style of play and finishing quality.
The pitch's condition was also the primary factor behind the consortium's refusal to grant Vasco da Gama permission to host their Copa do Brasil quarter-final match against Vitoria at the venue. Management fears that hosting additional matches could further degrade the field.
Severiano Braga had been with the Maracanã since 2019, previously serving as CEO before shifting his focus exclusively to pitch maintenance earlier this year.