As the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul deals with the fallout from severe flooding, the state’s biggest clubs, Grêmio, Inter and Juventude, are focusing their efforts on helping staff and the local community, leaving soccer on the back burner for now.
While Juventude have kept up their training routine, Grêmio and Inter have been inactive since last week because of the floods that hit Porto Alegre and the surrounding metro area, damaging their training facilities.
Grêmio president Alberto Guerra stresses that this is a time for “survival” and sees no return to training on the horizon. Inter, who had planned to resume on Thursday, extended the suspension until next Monday and are seeking support from the Rio Grande do Sul Soccer Federation to convince the CBF that it is impossible to resume activities.
The clubs also had games postponed by Conmebol, underscoring how complex the situation is. Behind the scenes, uncertainty reigns, with club leaders making decisions day by day and focusing first on helping those affected by the disaster.
Meanwhile, players from all three teams remain active in rescue efforts, food distribution and support for affected communities, while keeping up remote training sessions monitored by the coaching staffs.
For Grêmio, Inter and Juventude, this is a time for solidarity and mutual support, with soccer taking a back seat to the urgent needs of the people of Rio Grande do Sul.
