Brazil v England match to go ahead following 'bureaucratic failure'

Judge Adriana Costa dos Santos has reversed her ruling that the stadium was unsafe

Brazilian football is in the process of receiving fourteen new or rebuilt stadiums

England will face Brazil at the Maracana on Sunday after the Rio de Janeiro state government confirmed that Judge Adriana Costa dos Santos has reversed her ruling that the stadium was unsafe.

There were fears that the clash would not go ahead after the match was officially suspended due to safety fears.

However a statement on the Rio state government confirms the stadium complies with "all safety rules".

The statement also confirmed the safety certificate was granted.

"All safety requirements for the friendly between Brazil and England have been complied with and, because of a bureaucratic failure, the appraisal from the public ministry that proves the compliance with the rules on safety at the Maracana have not been sent to Suderj," the statement read.

Suderj is a division of the Rio de Janeiro state authority that holds responsibility for administrative issues with major sports venues.

The renovation of the 78,000 seater Maracana was complete last month - it is also due to hold the opening ceremony of next month's FIFA Confederations Cup and matches in the tournament.

The judge's original decision came after a prosecutor submitted a request for the match to be cancelled because of a lack of assurances that work on the stadium had been finalised, with worries that debris left over by construction workers could be hurled in the case of a disturbance. There were also reports that there could be a problem with flooring.

The judge was quoted by newspaper Estado as saying: "Despite numerous requests from the public ministry (the state prosecutor), the reports were not delivered in their entirety and we do not have at this moment the proof the stadium meets the minimum requirements necessary to put on matches or events.

"Because of the inaction of those responsible, there is no way we can allow the stadium to be reopened without the proof that it is in satisfactory conditions for hygiene and safety."

PA