The historic Maracaná stadium will change its name to ‘Pelé’, as approved by the legislative assembly of the building of the Brazilian stadium in Rio de Janeiro
The Legislative Assembly of the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro passed a controversial law renaming the legendary Maracaná Stadium after Edson Arantes do Nascimento – King Pelé, the one considered by the country fans as the best footballer of all time.
Although lawmakers stressed that this is a well-deserved living tribute to the three-time world champion, the law generated intense controversy for forgetting journalist Mario Filho, who currently gives his name to the stadium that has been the scene of the 1950 and 2014 World Cup finals.
The change of name of the stadium, which now depends on the law being sanctioned by the governor of Rio de Janeiro, Claudio Castro, has been criticized by the relatives of Mario Filho, By historians and by some sectors of the press.
The author of the law, left-wing MP André Ceciliano alleged that the sports complex that houses the Maracaná Stadium, which includes the Maracanazinho gym, the Julio Delamare water park and the Célio de Barros athletics track, will maintain the name of Mario Filho and will continue to pay tribute to the journalist.
Only the football stadium, which also hosted the football final and the closing ceremony of the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games, will be named Pelé.
“King Pelé is the greatest player of all time. It’s a fair tribute. Although I have no doubt that everyone will keep calling at the Maracaná stadium,” the legislator stated in admitting that the mythical stage will hardly lose the name of the neighborhood that houses it.
Ceciliano also rejected criticism from those who consider the use of the names of living personalities to baptize public spaces to be proselytizing.
“The use of the names of living people in public property has been a concern of society to take care of what belongs to all and prevent the privatization of public space. But in this case, it is of a just tribute to a person recognized worldwide for his legacy in Brazilian football and for the provision of important services in our country, “he said.
Among the deputies who signed as co-authors of the bill is former footballer Bebeto, champion with Brazil of the 1994 World Cup in the United States.
The bill was approved by the full regional legislature as a matter of urgency and by symbolic vote, ie in which only the spokesmen of each party intervened.
Only the left-wing Socialism and Freedom Party (PSOL) expressed its rejection of the initiative.
“Mario Filho was a journalist not only committed to democracy but also very active in the field of sports. I can not deny that it hurts me to imagine the name change,” said MP Flávio Serafini, legislator of the PSOL.
Mario Filho was the main promoter of the idea that Brazil build the largest stadium in the world for the World Cup that the country organized in 1950 and advocated that it be erected in the Maracaná neighborhood., Close to the city center, and not in a remote neighborhood where the then government wanted to build it.
The journalist was also an important sports reporter and organizer of national football tournaments.