Brazil's soccer confederation has taken the decision to suspend the next two rounds of its national league due to the severe floods that have affected the southern part of the country. This decision was made following a request from 15 out of the 20 clubs in the top-flight division.
The state of Rio Grande do Sul continues to grapple with the aftermath of the floods, with major cities like Porto Alegre facing significant challenges. Notably, clubs like Gremio, Internacional, and Juventude, all part of the Brazilian first division, have been impacted by the natural disaster.
Reports indicate that the floods have resulted in the loss of at least 149 lives, with 108 individuals still missing. Furthermore, over 620,000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes due to the flooding.
If conditions in the affected areas improve, the national league is set to resume with the ninth round on June 1. The seventh and eighth rounds will be rescheduled accordingly to accommodate the suspension.
The Brazilian soccer body emphasized the importance of solidarity during this challenging period, highlighting the interconnectedness of sports and society. The suspension of matches in the top-flight division until May 27 does not extend to other competitions.
In alignment with this decision, Brazil's sports minister has called for a halt to all nationwide tournaments, including those for men, women, and under-20s. The Brazilian soccer body had previously agreed to a 20-day suspension of all soccer activities in the affected southern state.
Additionally, CONMEBOL, the South American soccer governing body, has also suspended two club matches in the region due to the ongoing crisis.
While some stadiums like Internacional's Beira-Rio have seen improvements, others like the Arena do Gremio remain submerged in water in Porto Alegre. The Alfredo Jaconi Stadium in Caxias do Sul, home to Juventude, has experienced less severe impacts.
The airports in Porto Alegre and Caxias do Sul are currently closed, exacerbating logistical challenges. Water supplies remain limited, and local accommodations are operating at full capacity.
All three clubs from Rio Grande do Sul had their matches in the fifth round of the Brazilian league suspended, coinciding with the onset of the floods. Internacional, Gremio, and Juventude currently occupy the 10th, 12th, and 15th positions in the league standings, respectively.
