Author: Soorya G
The judge of the Court of Justice of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Renata Machado Costa, has denied Vasco da Gama’s request to allow women, children and disabled people in the crowd at the São Januário stadium for the match against Grêmio on Sunday. In her ruling, the judge noted that, despite there being only women, there was still a state of illegality in a previous game played in May. As a result, Vasco are still banned from hosting fans at São Januário, maintaining the previous sanction imposed on the club.
This match will be the last of a four-match ban imposed on the club following the incidents that took place on June 22, during the 1-0 defeat to Goiás. The match was marred by disturbances and explosive devices inside and outside São Januário. Despite the facts being against them, Vasco da Gama expressed their dissatisfaction with the decision.
“Vasco da Gama regrets the court decision handed down on Friday afternoon (04/08) regarding the request for women, children and disabled people to attend the match against Gremio next Sunday (06/08) at São Januário. The club believes that there is no reason to close the stadium, as all safety regulations have been complied with” said Vasco.
In the 1-0 win over Cuiabá, the team couldn’t use the stadium and moved the game to the Luso-Brasileiro stadium on Ilha do Governador. Against Cruzeiro and Athletico, the games were played at the Colina stadium, but without spectators, as in next Sunday’s match. Vasco are currently bottom of the Brazilian Championship table, with just nine points to their name so far.
Vasco da Gama’s São Januário has a long history of violent transgressions, with several incidents such as the one that took place in June. Similar incidents had already occurred in 2013, when fans of Athletico Paranense and Vasco clashed in 2013, and also in the derby between Flamengo and Vasco in 2017, when a fan lost his life in the violence that took over the stadium.