Public Officials Threaten To Close Rio's Maracana Stadium Over Safety Fears

Public prosecutors in Brazil "have threatened to close Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium amid fears the venue does not meet minimum safety standards," according to the IANS. Prosecutor Glicia Pessanha Crispim has written to the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) "requesting the submission of a new engineering report," according to Rio de Janeiro's Public Ministry. In the letter, received by the CBF Sept. 11, Crispim said that the current report "does not meet requirements set by Brazil's sports ministry." It stated the organization had 30 days "to provide a satisfactory response. Failure to do so could result in the stadium's closure." No further details "were given about the stadium's alleged failings." The Maracana stadium reopened in June after almost three years of renovation and will host the World Cup final in July as well as the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the 2016 Olympics (IANS, 9/18).