England’s Rio date in doubt over ‘safety fears’

England’s friendly against Brazil in Sunday was last night cast into doubt.
Alex Oxlade-ChamberlainAlex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

The high-profile match at the Maracana was the subject of safety concerns, according to the Sao Paulo-based newspaper Estado which stated in a report on their website that a state prosecutor had submitted a request for the match to be cancelled because of a lack of assurances that work on the stadium was complete.

The Brazilian football federation (CBF) have been made aware of the issue and, while urgently looking at its implications, were unwilling to say whether the match at Rio de Janeiro’s world famous stadium, which has been given a major facelift ahead of Brazil hosting next year’s World Cup, would proceed as planned.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

England’s last visit to the iconic Maracana was a little under 30 years ago as to the enduring standout moment.

John Barnes’s mazy dribble and assured finish in a 2-0 victory for Bobby Robson’s men is rightly lauded as one of the best by anyone sporting the Three Lions.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is as familiar with England’s opener in that famous win over Brazil as anyone, having watched the clip over and over again on the internet.

Barnes goal is not, though, the only reason why the Arsenal teenager is looking forward with great excitement to this Sunday’s friendly in Rio – assuming it goes ahead as planned – for his father Mark was also in that England team on June 10, 1984.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The Maracana will be special,” said the England winger, fresh from his 11th appearance for the national team in Wednesday’s draw with the Republic of Ireland.

“It will be my first visit and to have a chance of playing there so young is unbelievable.

“I have seen how my dad has done out there and that will add to how proud I will feel.

“Dad is very modest about it. He hasn’t told me loads about the game. The only thing he has said is he had a pretty good game and that was it.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I haven’t seen any footage or anything like that, other than the John Barnes goal, of course. I will have to try and get hold of some to see how he (his father) did.”

If the Arsenal wideman is able to find a DVD of the night Brazil were humbled by the Three Lions, he will see a fantastic team performance.

Chamberlain snr, then 22 and a little over a year away from moving to Sheffield Wednesday, played a full part in the win, which was capped by a second-half strike from Mark Hateley.

Oxlade-Chamberlain said: “We haven’t spoken about the atmosphere or anything like that. My Dad is really laid back and just lets me take everything in my stride. I am sure if I asked what it was like, he would tell me.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The only thing he has told me is that it was an unbelievable experience for him.”

If son is to have similarly fond memories as father then England will have to improve hugely on the mediocre midweek draw with the Republic.

Oxlade-Chamberlain said: “There were positives we can take into the Brazil game.

“We felt our second-half performance had been better and we’d created enough to win the game.”