CBF evaluates postponing round and migrating clubs from Rio Grande do Sul to another state; see options

The management of the CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation) is already evaluating the possibility of postponing the entire round next weekend of the Series A, not just games from Rio Grande do Sul clubs. There is no consensus, however, and the final decision will be made by President Ednaldo Rodrigues. The reason is flooding throughout Rio Grande do Sul due to the rain, a tragedy that has left more than 80 people dead, hundreds missing and thousands homeless.

One option studied is to postpone next weekend’s round and then migrate the Gaucho clubs to another city, probably Curitiba. The teams would train in the capital of Paraná and play at the Ligga Arena and Couto Pereira. Athletico-PR showed solidarity in providing its training center.

Such as Itatiaia revealed, the boards of Inter and Grêmio asked for help to other clubs to pressure the CBF to completely postpone the competition. There is, however, no unanimity among leaders on the matter. The only one to speak publicly in favor of this was the Atlético president, Sérgio Coelho.‘

Inter and Grêmio claim that they will be disadvantaged for the remainder of the competition in this scenario of specific postponements, as they would accumulate games in the future, with scores behind in a tight calendar. For equality, they asked for the competition to be completely suspended for a few rounds and sought support from clubs in other states. Inter talks about 20 days without matches.

Within the CBF there is also no consensus. The concern is with the schedule, which is already tight. The solution would be to fit games into FIFA Dates, when the championship stops, in June, September, October or November, but there will be outcry from clubs because they would lose players in call-ups. This is also why some presidents turn up their noses at Inter and Grêmio’s request for help.

It has already been decided that at least the clashes between the teams from Rio Grande do Sul next weekend will be postponed. The games Atlético x Grêmio, scheduled for Saturday (11), at Arena MRV, in Belo Horizonte, and Inter x Juventude, in Beira-Rio, on Monday (14), at 9pm (Brasília time), will not take place. The clash for the Copa do Brasil between Inter x Juventude, for the third phase, postponed from May 1st to May 10th, next Friday, will also not be held.

The CBF must also postpone the matches of Ypiranga, São José and Caxias, for Series C, and Novo Hamburgo, Avenida and Brasil de Pelotas, for D. This already happened last weekend.

Calamity

The situations of Inter and Grêmio are critical. The capital Porto Alegre is under water and Salgado Filho airport is closed, at least until next Friday (10), for landings and takeoffs. There is a lot of water on the slopes and in the lobby.

The Grêmio and Internacional stadiums are flooded, as are the training centers, making it impossible for players to work. No one is risking a prediction of when this equipment will be operating normally.

Grêmio and Inter had their games this mid-week, against Huachipato-CHI, for the Libertadores, and Real Tomayapo-BOL, for the Sul-Americana, respectively, postponed by Conmebol (South American Football Confederation) to dates that are still uncertain.

The confederation is also considering postponing next week’s clashes, between Tricolor against Estudiantes-ARG and Colorado against Delfin-EQU, both scheduled for Porto Alegre. Conmebol directors talk to the CBF and are in favor of Inter and Grêmio nominating stadiums in other states to play.