Source: AOL News
RIO DE JANEIRO, May 2 (Reuters) - Brazil's most popular club have been kicked out of their spiritual home by the Backstreet Boys. Flamengo, who play most of their big matches at the Maracana stadium, were forced to move Wednesday's game against Juventude to a small venue in a distant suburb to make way for the band, who perform at the world famous arena on Thursday. The stadium, owned by the government of Rio de Janeiro state, has been closed since Monday in preparation for the show when it is expected to be filled with thousands of screaming teenagers. Flamengo, who claim to have 25 million supporters, will instead take on Juventude in the Copa Brasil at the 12,000- capacity Edson Passos stadium 30 kilometres from the centre to the frustration of their players. "Flamengo's history has been made at the Maracana, a stadium which has always been our supporters' home," complained striker Edilson. "I've never played at Edson Passos at night but I'm sure it's not as well lit as the Maracana," added goalkeeper Julio Cesar. Flamengo do not have their own stadium and have led a nomadic existence this year. They have preferred to use the Edson Passos stadium for matches against smaller teams or when the Maracana, which is sometimes closed for religious events as well as pop shows, is unavailable. However, the Edson Passos, which belongs to America-Rio de Janeiro, has been out of action in the Carioca championship, the other tournament in which Flamengo are involved, since last month. No official ban has been announced but media say it was shut in retaliation after America fans displayed banners of protest against a leading local director. The third option has been Moca Bonita, a decrepit ground where a television report on Tuesday showed graffiti, crumbling walls, piles of rubble, holes in the pitch and even bullet holes in one of the gates. "Flamengo don't know what it is to play at home," said midfielder Dejan Petkovic. "I'm noteven going to comment about Moca Bonita."
