(FILES) In this file photo taken on April 02, 2020, aerial view of Maracana stadium and Maracanazinho gym in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. – The Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro (Alerj) asked on April 6, 2021 to veto the bill it approved almost a month ago to rename the legendary Maracana stadium with the name Rei Pele, in homage to the Brazilian football idol. (Photo by MAURO PIMENTEL / AFP)
The Rio de Janeiro state legislature backed down Tuesday from plans to rename Brazil’s iconic Maracana stadium for football legend Pele, after the proposal triggered controversy.
In an unusual move, legislative speaker Andre Ceciliano, who sponsored the bill, asked interim governor Claudio Castro to veto rather than sign it.
After lawmakers voted on March 9 to change the stadium’s official name to “Edson Arantes do Nascimento – Rei Pele” to honor the three-time world champion, critics questioned why they were spending their time on such matters in the middle of a raging health…
Source: Guardian Newspaper
