BRASILIA // Brasilia has been one of the focal points of the World Cup, but there will not be much football for the country’s capital to look forward to when the tournament leaves town following the third-place match on Saturday.
When the Brazilian championship restarts this month, the federal district will be represented by just one team, Brasiliense, playing in the regionalised fourth division.
The glistening new Brasilia national stadium, popularly known as Mane Garrincha after one of Brazil’s greatest players, is likely to go unused by the local side as Brasiliense stage their matches in a more modest arena, popularly known as the Alligator’s Mouth.
“It’s a stadium for 20,000, which is sufficient for what we need,” Brasiliense coach Marcos Soares said. “If we want to play in front of large crowds, we need to get results and get promoted.
“You have to pay [to rent the stadium], you have the employees, cleaning, security staff. The clubs have to pay for this.
“It’s a gigantic stadium for 70,000 people. Brasiliense will not fill a stadium like that.”
Brasiliense played in the first competitive match at the Mane Garrincha last year when they faced rivals Brasilia FC in the final of the local championship.
Brasilia FC, meanwhile, will have to wait until next year before playing another competitive game. They are one of many small clubs condemned to long periods of inactivity by the Byzantine structure of Brazilian domestic football.
The first four months of the year are dedicated to regional competitions, one for each of Brazil’s 27 states, and the rest of the season to the Brazilian championship.
Brasilia coach Marquinho Carioca said that the new stadium, criticised by many as being a white elephant, would act as an inspiration, and he hoped that one day Brasilia could play in the ground regularly.
He said: “I think it was money well spent because it motivates football in Brasilia. Having a stadium like that motivates the athletes, you feel the atmosphere.”
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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World record transfers
1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Greatest Royal Rumble results
John Cena pinned Triple H in a singles match
Cedric Alexander retained the WWE Cruiserweight title against Kalisto
Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt win the Raw Tag Team titles against Cesaro and Sheamus
Jeff Hardy retained the United States title against Jinder Mahal
Bludgeon Brothers retain the SmackDown Tag Team titles against the Usos
Seth Rollins retains the Intercontinental title against The Miz, Finn Balor and Samoa Joe
AJ Styles remains WWE World Heavyweight champion after he and Shinsuke Nakamura are both counted out
The Undertaker beats Rusev in a casket match
Brock Lesnar retains the WWE Universal title against Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
Braun Strowman won the 50-man Royal Rumble by eliminating Big Cass last
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