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The Maracana Stadium has a capacity of approximately 78,000
The State of Rio de Janeiro has announced the resumption of the Maracanã stadium in Brazil, canceling the contract of a private consortium.
Governor Wilson Witzel said the decision would come into effect on April 17 but would not disrupt football matches.
The Rio State Assembly earlier announced its intention to investigate the Consorcio Maracanã's contract, saying there were signs of mismanagement and corruption.
The consortium said it was "surprised" by the decision of the state authorities.
Last year, Rio's former governor, Sergio Cabral, was sentenced to 12 years in prison, charged with manipulating bids and excessive contracts for the Maracanã.
The management of Maracanã went private in 2013 after a long and expensive renovation in preparation for the FIFA World Cup 2014 and the 2016 Olympic Games.
The stadium remained empty for months after the Olympics. In 2017, looters broke into the stadium, smashing windows and stealing objects.
The Maracanã – which also hosted the World Cup final of 1950 – was used by the four big teams Rio, Botafogo, Flamengo, Fluminense and Vasco da Gama.
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