Brasileiro side Flamengo "declared war" against the Rio de Janeiro State Football Federation (FERJ) by "sending four national matches" to other states and utilizing 2014 World Cup stadiums, according to Vinicius Castro of UOL. The club is "unsatisfied with the costs" of its home base, Maracanã stadium, which is a reason why the board of directors "made the decision" to move for the Campeonato Brasileiro. The "main reason is financial." Flamengo "plans to pocket" up to R$4M ($1.3M) from the deals struck from the four out-of-state matches. Cutting out the Maracanã "is a good reason" for the club, as it "divides revenue, expenses and stadium operation" with the Maracanã consortium. Additionally, FERJ places a 5% tax on revenue "for all Rio de Janeiro matches." However, by "selling these matches" to out-of-state stadiums, the board of directors can close other deals, "which in some cases surpass what is made" at the Maracanã. In search of profit and results, the board of directors also believes that removing Flamengo from Rio de Janeiro "is a symbolic action in terms of war against" FERJ (UOL, 5/6).
