Brazil sees return of soccer at empty Maracana stadium

Soccer Football - Carioca Championship - Flamengo v Bangu - Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - June 18, 2020 Flamengo's Willian Arao in action with Bangu's Rodrigo Yuri, following the resumption of play behind closed doors after the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Brazilian football resumed after a three-month hiatus on Thursday night, with Flamengo beating Bangu 3-0 at an empty Maracana stadium in the first game of the restarted Rio de Janeiro state championship.

The match marked the return of Brazil's state leagues, most of which were halted in March as the novel coronavirus spread.

Most of the other state championships, which are usually played between January and April before the national leagues take place in the second half of the year, have not yet set a date for resuming.

Soccer Football - Carioca Championship - Flamengo v Bangu - Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - June 18, 2020 Flamengo's Giorgian De Arrascaeta in action with Bangu's Michel, following the resumption of play behind closed doors after the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

The resumption in Brazil has caused controversy, with two top clubs, Botafogo and Fluminense, saying they will not turn up for scheduled games this weekend.

Another 1,238 people were reported to have died in Brazil on Thursday from COVID-19 - the illness caused by the coronavirus - taking the overall death count to 47,748.

Only the United States has recorded more deaths.

Soccer Football - Carioca Championship - Flamengo v Bangu - Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - June 18, 2020 Flamengo's Giorgian De Arrascaeta in action with Bangu's Michel, following the resumption of play behind closed doors after the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

Thursday night's game at the Maracana began after the two sides arrived at the stadium to be met by a handful of fans, some of whom were protesting the policies of Brazil's far-right president, and others who carried placards celebrating the 70th anniversary of the stadium.

There were no supporters inside the ground and reporters and officials had to undergo stringent security procedures before entering.

Another five games are scheduled to take place between June 19 and June 22.

Soccer Football - Carioca Championship - Flamengo v Bangu - Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - June 18, 2020 Flamengo's Giorgian De Arrascaeta in action, following the resumption of play behind closed doors after the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

Uruguayan midfielder Giorgian De Arrascaeta scored Flamengo's first goal after 17 minutes, striker Bruno Henrique got a second 20 minutes into the second half and Pedro Rocha added a third two minutes from time.

(Reporting by Andrew Downie; Editing by Christopher Cushing)

Soccer Football - Carioca Championship - Flamengo v Bangu - Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - June 18, 2020 Flamengo's Pedro Rocha scores their third goal, following the resumption of play behind closed doors after the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

Soccer Football - Carioca Championship - Flamengo v Bangu - Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - June 18, 2020 Flamengo's Pedro Rocha celebrates scoring their third goal with teammates, following the resumption of play behind closed doors after the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

Soccer Football - Carioca Championship - Flamengo v Bangu - Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - June 18, 2020 Flamengo's Giorgian De Arrascaeta scores their first goal, following the resumption of play behind closed doors after the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

Soccer Football - Carioca Championship - Flamengo v Bangu - Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - June 18, 2020 Flamengo's Giorgian De Arrascaeta shoots at goal, following the resumption of play behind closed doors after the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

Soccer Football - Carioca Championship - Flamengo v Bangu - Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - June 18, 2020 Flamengo's Bruno Henrique in action with Bangu's Matheus Inacio, following the resumption of play behind closed doors after the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

Soccer Football - Carioca Championship - Flamengo v Bangu - Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - June 18, 2020 Flamengo coach Jorge Jesus reacts during the match, following the resumption of play behind closed doors after the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes