Fred Nantes, the chief executive of the Maracanã stadium in Rio de Janeiro, has described an investigation by Rio de Janeiro state prosecutors into alleged ticketing irregularities for Flamengo and Fluminense matches as media driven.
Speaking on Friday, September 11, Nantes said stadium management would respond to the civil inquiry through official channels within the established deadline. He added that administrators have answered previous requests from investigators and continue to maintain excellent cooperation with the public prosecutor's office.
The investigation was formally opened on August 26 by the Specialized Action Group for Sports and Fan Defense, a division of the Public Prosecutor's Office of the State of Rio de Janeiro known as GAEDEST/MPRJ. The civil inquiry is probing potential overcrowding across designated spectator sectors at the iconic stadium.
Three entities are named as the primary targets of the inquiry: stadium management consortium Fla-Flu Serviços S.A., along with host clubs Flamengo and Fluminense. Prosecutors are examining 16 specific matches held at the venue between December 2025 and August 2026, comprising 11 fixtures hosted by Flamengo, four hosted by Fluminense, and the 2026 Carioca Championship final.
Official investigation documents highlight that ticket issuance records across these 16 matches show strong indications that the number of tickets generated exceeded the physical capacity of the relevant stadium sectors.
Ticket discrepancies and financial investigation
To determine the extent of the discrepancies, GAEDEST/MPRJ has submitted formal requests for detailed documentation from Flamengo, Fluminense, the Rio de Janeiro State Football Federation, local security agencies, and official ticketing vendors. Prosecutors have requested precise figures for total ticket distribution, broken down by paid sales, complimentary tickets, and free admissions, alongside verified turnstile attendance numbers for each sector.
Investigators are seeking a technical justification from stadium operators for why turnstile entries repeatedly exceeded sector capacity limits during the matches under review. According to details from the inquiry reported by Brazilian newspaper O Globo, authorities believe ticket sales above official limits and discrepancies in match financial sheets could indicate a potential diversion of around 1 million Brazilian reais per month.
The financial sheets, known locally as borderôs, serve as the official accounting records for stadium attendance and match revenues in Brazilian football. Discrepancies between official capacity figures and actual stadium entries have raised concerns among legal authorities regarding revenue reporting and spectator control.
Security planning and stadium safety concerns
Beyond financial accounting, the investigation is examining operational security procedures at the venue. Report details published by O Globo indicate that prosecutors are concerned that security planning spreadsheets used to organize matchday operations may have been undersized.
Investigators caution that underestimating crowd size in security planning documents could lead to inadequate police staffing levels inside and outside the stadium during high-profile matches, creating potential safety risks for supporters and stadium personnel.
The Maracanã stadium, officially named the Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho, is one of the most famous sporting venues in world football. Located in Rio de Janeiro, the stadium has hosted two FIFA World Cup finals and regularly accommodates major domestic and international competitions.
Management of the venue is overseen by Fla-Flu Serviços S.A., a joint operating company formed by Rio de Janeiro football clubs Flamengo and Fluminense. Both clubs compete in the top flight of Brazilian football and draw large crowds for national league fixtures and state tournament games.
Pitch renovation plans for 2027
Nantes addressed questions regarding the prosecutor's probe during a press conference initially convened to discuss the physical condition of the Maracanã playing surface. Stadium officials announced that the pitch is scheduled to undergo a comprehensive renovation ahead of the 2027 football season.
Although press advisors had instructed attending journalists to limit their questions to the upcoming turf renovation, reporters questioned Nantes directly about the ongoing prosecutor inquiry. The executive agreed to address the issue, reiterating that management would fulfill all official requests from authorities.
The Public Prosecutor's Office of the State of Rio de Janeiro is expected to review the requested ticketing data, security plans, and financial statements from the clubs and federation as the civil inquiry continues.
