Romario gets chance to score 1,000th goal at Maracana

Vasco da Gama have switched today's cup tie against Gama to the Maracana because striker Romario hopes to score the 1,000th goal of his career at the famous stadium.

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed the switch for the Copa Brasil second round, second leg which was previously due to be staged at Vasco's more modest Sao Januario stadium.

Romario, 41, says he has scored 999 goals so far although he openly admits the total includes goals scored in youth, junior and testimonial games.

Vasco president Eurico Miranda said Romario would be banned from giving pre-match interviews on the pitch.

Vasco's match against Botafogo on Sunday kicked off nearly 20 minutes late as a horde of television and radio reporters interviewed the player as he came out of the tunnel. Vasco lost 2-0.

Eduardo Paes, Sports Minister for the Rio de Janeiro state government which owns the arena, said there would be a clampdown on the number of people granted access to the pitch.

"The Maracana is like a Swiss cheese," he told the Estado news agency.