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Fans return to Brazilian football stadiums this weekend

Fans return football stadiums
Atlético Mineiro places fan pictures on stadium seats prior to league game. Photo: Bruno Cantini/Ag. Galo/CAM

The 20 clubs of the top tier of Brazilian football agreed to allow the return of fans to stadiums as of this weekend. However, clubs will still have to adhere to state laws on public gatherings, causing a few schedule changes for the coming round of Série A league matches.

The state government in Bahia has yet to greenlight the return of fans to stadiums, so Bahia’s match against Ceará this weekend will be postponed and played at a later date, once local administrators approve regulations on the subject.

In São Paulo, the country’s biggest state, Governor João Doria previously gave permission for fans to return to stadiums as of next Monday — meaning that this weekend’s football matches in the state will be played behind closed doors. As a consequence, Santos v. Fluminense will also be postponed.

Interlocutors close to discussions claim the top-tier clubs were put under pressure to make a decision after Rio de Janeiro club Flamengo obtained a court injunction permitting fans to attend its home games.