Emotional Jorge Jesus urges pause in Brazilian football after friend’s death from coronavirus
- 4 years ago
After Flamengo won a match in the Rio State Championship at an empty Maracana on Saturday, manager Jorge Jesus urged a pause in Brazilian football amidst the ongoing public safety concerns over the coronavirus.
"I have never played without supporters. I hope this was the first and the last time. It's a distressing thing. It's bothering. That's the ultimate proof that there's no way of playing without them," he told Fla TV after the match.
During the interview an emotional Jesus, who is from Portugal, acknowleged the he had lost a friend in Europe the COVID-19 virus.
On Friday, Flamengo vice-president Mauricio Gomes de Mattos was confirmed with a second positive test for the virus after a trip to Spain to meet with Real Madrid and Barcelona officials.
"I have never played without supporters. I hope this was the first and the last time. It's a distressing thing. It's bothering. That's the ultimate proof that there's no way of playing without them," he told Fla TV after the match.
During the interview an emotional Jesus, who is from Portugal, acknowleged the he had lost a friend in Europe the COVID-19 virus.
On Friday, Flamengo vice-president Mauricio Gomes de Mattos was confirmed with a second positive test for the virus after a trip to Spain to meet with Real Madrid and Barcelona officials.