Brazilian clubs pushing for risky return to football

On June 18, Rio de Janeiro clubs Flamengo and Bangu played the first football match in Brazil since March, when tournaments stopped as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Inside the city’s Maracanã stadium, there was no crowd to be seen. Meanwhile, in the ground’s car park, a coronavirus field hospital is filled with Covid-19 patients — one of whom reportedly died during the game. 

While major European leagues have returned to complete their 2019-2020 seasons after a flattening of their respective coronavirus curves, Brazil is attempting to resume football while case numbers are still rising. Between June 14 and 20, the country had the highest number of confirmed cases in the world, with more than 29,000 new infections on average each day.

Flamengo — Brazilian and South American champions — are leading the efforts to get back on the pitch. The club president recently met with President Jair Bolsonaro, who is staunchly against social isolation policies and has long advocated for the return of football.

The Rio de Janeiro state championship was postponed once again soon after the Flamengo v. Bangu clash. Other major clubs in the city refused to return to action while the pandemic remained out of control.

Flamengo’s eagerness...