In a press conference held this afternoon, in the Rogério Steinberg auditorium, in Gávea, president Márcio Braga confirmed that Flamengo is still in the running to manage Maracanã.

Reports that the stadium would be managed by the CBF, according to the Flamengo president, were denied by the State Secretary of Sports, Eduardo Paes. Márcio Braga also stated that, if it is not possible to retain the management of Maracanã, Flamengo will share management of Engenhão with Botafogo.

"We have nothing against the CBF, and I believe that the governing body of soccer has every right to participate in the bidding process to manage the Maracanã. But Flamengo will also participate. I spoke with Eduardo Paes today, and he denied any agreement already reached for the CBF to manage the Maracanã. If we win the bid, we will welcome the Brazilian national team with open arms. After the national team, Flamengo is the biggest force in Brazilian soccer," stated Márcio Braga, noting that the company hired to prepare the stadium's bidding process identified Flamengo as responsible for 70% of soccer revenue in Rio. President Márcio Braga also clarified the differences of opinion with the Club of 13. He said that Flamengo has not left the group, but reiterated that it has the support of Botafogo, Cruzeiro, Atlético-MG, and São Paulo in seeking a new form of management. "We haven't left the Club of 13, but from now on, we will handle our own affairs directly." We can call this group the G-5. Today, there's nothing more authoritarian than the presidential regime imposed by Fábio Koff. He has outdated ideas, and we need someone who's been in a club to know exactly what needs to be changed.