Sao Paulo,
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said Saturday all league matches in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo will be played in empty stadiums until further notice because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Brazilian Football Confederation said it was taking the measure on the advice of the health ministry, whose “express recommendation is to restrict social contact” at football matches.
The move means several crunch matches will be played without fans, including the Sao Paulo-Santos and Vasco da Gama-Fluminense derbies.
The Brazilian Football Confederation decision applies only to Brazil’s two biggest cities, but some local federations have already announced the same measure for matches in several states and the capital, Brasilia.
Brazil has confirmed 98 coronavirus cases so far, with the largest numbers in Sao Paulo and Rio.
The pandemic has led officials to cancel, postpone or shutter a long list of top sporting events worldwide, including Premier League football, NBA basketball, Formula One racing and the Giro d’Italia.—APP