Vasco Cancels Montevideo Wanderers Friendly After Charter Flight Blocked

Brazilian club Vasco da Gama cancelled the friendly it was due to play against Uruguay’s Montevideo Wanderers on 5 July at the Arena das Dunas in Natal, one day before kickoff. The game was part of the Vitória Cup, an off-season exhibition series, and was expected to draw more than 20,000 spectators. Vasco said it called off the trip after the companies hired to stage the event failed to meet contractual obligations and to provide required guarantees. Separately, Brazil’s civil aviation authority ANAC did not authorise the charter flight that would have brought the Uruguayan squad to Natal, effectively blocking the team’s arrival. The Arena das Dunas operator and the club both promised automatic refunds for tickets purchased online or at physical outlets within 72 business hours. Vasco, which has been idle for more than three weeks, now focuses on its domestic league fixture against Botafogo in Brasília on 12 July.