Brazil-England friendly suspended over Maracana

RIO DE JANEIRO (AFP) –

Workers are silhouetted at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on May 15, 2013. Brazil’s friendly international against England on Sunday has been called off due to doubts over the famous Maracana stadium in Rio – a judge said Thursday.

Brazil’s friendly international against England on Sunday has been called off due to doubts over the famous Maracana stadium in Rio – a judge said Thursday.

England were due to travel to Brazil for a match to reopen the iconic stadium, which has been undergoing redevelopment ahead of next month’s Confederations Cup and the World Cup in Brazil next year.

However a judge has said the stadium does not meet safety conditions.