Two of Brazil's biggest clubs have said that they will refuse to return to competitive action this week after Rio de Janeiro's state football federation called for football to resume on June 18 pending government approval.
Botafogo and Fluminense, two of Rio's 'big four', had been slated to take part in the Campeonato Carioca as the South American nation seeks to follow in the footsteps of other countries around the world that have taken to the pitch once again during the coronavirus pandemic.
Brazil's Covid-19 death toll continues to rise, however, with reports stating that Tuesday saw a record increase in fatalities – 1,282 – taking the country's overall total to over 45,000.