2014 Venues - Belo Horizonte

Estadio Governador Magalhaes Pinto - or Mineirao, as it's more commonly known  - is a stadium in Belo Horizonte. It will host 6 matches during World Cup 2014.

Recently the Selecao played Chile at this stadium. The match, a 2-2 draw, was played out between a pair of colourful, if identity-free, box-nets.




Let's be clear what identity-free goal nets in Brazil means. Brazil are the most recognised football team in World football yet, given the goal nets, you can't identify even which continent the Selecao are playing on.

Are they playing in London UK?


Or New York City?


It's impossible to tell.

However, the last time Brazil played in Belo Horizonte there could be no mistaking they were playing at home, in Brazil. How can you tell? Look at the goal nets!

Brazil 2014 - SER Caxias Do Sul

You'll have seen the crazy goalmouth scramble at the recent Caxias v Internacional match...



What was most interesting for us Brazilian goal nets fanatics were the classic L-supports at either end of the Estádio Centenário.

Check out the two goals in the game - and the fabulous nets - below.

What are "L-supports"?

A crash course in the different methods for goal net suspension, through time and round the world.



Full support stanchion or A-frame as pictured at Wembley. No mistaking those stanchions.

Continental D supports, popular in Central Europe in the 70's and 80's.

South American L-supports, as pictured at FIFA World Cup 1978 in Argentina. Native to South America, they're as Brazilian as Pele and yellow shirts and blue shorts.













Homogeneous free-hanging box goal nets as pictured at Wembley, but how can you really tell? If we don't campaign, these will be installed at each of the 12 stadia at the 2014 World Cup finals and you won't know if you're watching a game in Brazil or in London.

Please sign the petition.