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'Problems' as Maracana stadium reopens in Rio | |
(about 11 hours later) | |
Rio's world-famous Maracana stadium has reopened after nearly three years of renovations to prepare it for the World Cup finals in 2014. | |
Workers who helped with the renovation and their families were treated to an exhibition match between teams of stars past and present. | |
But leading newspapers reported problems with the new facility. | |
The reopening follows controversy over delays, costs and the future privatisation of the site. | |
The renovation was completed four months behind schedule. | |
Days before the test event, seats were still being installed and pavements laid near the venue. | Days before the test event, seats were still being installed and pavements laid near the venue. |
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff and Rio de Janeiro's Mayor Eduardo Paes were among the 30,000-strong crowd watching the friendly between teams captained by Ronaldo and Bebeto. | |
But the Jornal do Brasil said Saturday's visitors "needed patience to deal with the many problems" at the venue, arising from the rush to complete it. | |
It highlighted uneven flooring with small gaps and holes, flooding in the VIP area and a dysfunctional lift, and said some staff had tried to prevent journalists taking pictures of the affected areas. | |
Workers were still finishing building a stadium wall, and ticket offices, turnstiles and gates were not working, said another paper, the Folha de Sao Paulo. | |
International test | International test |
But in a statement quoted by the Folha de Sao Paulo, the Rio de Janeiro state government pointed out that this was a test event, using only 30% of the stadium's full capacity, and did not represent the full reopening. | |
It said it was "natural" that some more work remained to be done. | |
"Maracana will be delivered fully ready on the date set by Fifa: 24 May," it reportedly said. | |
Former Brazil star striker Ronaldo, who captained one team for the exhibition match against former teammate Bebeto, said the stadium looked "amazing". | |
"I'm happy to see the stadium ready again. The Maracana is a symbol of this country," he said, according to the Assoociated Press news agency. | |
Former Brazil coach and player Mario Zagallo said he had "goose-bumps" when he arrived, AP said. | |
The first major international test of the facility will be a friendly between Brazil and England on 2 June before the Confederations Cup begins two weeks later. | The first major international test of the facility will be a friendly between Brazil and England on 2 June before the Confederations Cup begins two weeks later. |
There has been criticism of the cost of the renovation - nearly $500m (£320m) - because the stadium has already seen a number of upgrades. | There has been criticism of the cost of the renovation - nearly $500m (£320m) - because the stadium has already seen a number of upgrades. |
A Brazilian indigenous group, the Aldeia Maracana (or Maracana tribe), have also protested at the site against their eviction from a former indigenous museum, built in 1862. | A Brazilian indigenous group, the Aldeia Maracana (or Maracana tribe), have also protested at the site against their eviction from a former indigenous museum, built in 1862. |
Plans to privatise the Maracana have run into controversy too, with demonstrations against the demolition of local facilities to make way for an arena with bars, restaurants and shops. | Plans to privatise the Maracana have run into controversy too, with demonstrations against the demolition of local facilities to make way for an arena with bars, restaurants and shops. |
Critics say privatisation will return much less to the government than it invested in the project. | Critics say privatisation will return much less to the government than it invested in the project. |
The Maracana is seen as an iconic venue. Nearly 200,000 people watched the 1950 World Cup final between Brazil and Uruguay - the largest crowd ever to have watched a football match at a stadium. | The Maracana is seen as an iconic venue. Nearly 200,000 people watched the 1950 World Cup final between Brazil and Uruguay - the largest crowd ever to have watched a football match at a stadium. |