Reeling from flooding, Brazil wants soccer to take a pause

Brazil’s government urged the country’s soccer officials to suspend all tournaments Friday because of massive floods in the south.

More heavy rain is expected in Rio Grande do Sul state into the weekend, which could worsen the situation for millions of people and further delay the cleaning of the inundated stadiums of top-flight clubs Gremio, Internacional and Juventude.

At least 107 people have died because of the floods and another 134 are missing, authorities say. More than 230,000 are displaced and aware they might not be able to return home for another two weeks.

The Brazilian Football Confederation has yet to respond to sports minister André Fufuca asking for a halt to all nationwide tournaments — for men, women and under-20s. This week, the CBF agreed to suspend for 20 days all soccer activity in the southern state, which borders Uruguay and Argentina. The situation will be reassessed May 27.

“There’s a desolating situation for players and their family members in a form we cannot measure, both physically and psychologically, ”Fufuca said.“The entire nation is also involved in the support to players and families, as well as all the population of the region.”

The Beira-Rio and Arena do Gremio stadia in state capital Porto Alegre have been surrounded by floodwaters since last weekend. Their pitches and parts of the stands are submerged. Only jet skis have entered the two venues since last week.