Ananova:

Brazilian soccer fans who urinate on the terraces so as not to miss any of the match are destroying the historic Maracana stadium.

The gallons of urine dispatched by 120,000-capacity crowds have eaten through the concrete and are weakening the stadium's steel girders.

Engineers and architects working on renovating the existing stadium say a lack of consideration by fans who refuse to use the toilets is destroying the Mecca of Brazilian football.

"The damage is so bad that double the initial investment will be needed to remedy the concrete structure," said engineer Luis Eduardo Cardoso.

"The ammonia from the urine acts with amazing speed. It penetrates the concrete and acts like an acid on the steel girders."

Francis Carvalho, president of the Rio sports authority, said: "The supporters wait until half-time so as not to miss a minute of the match, after that they could not be bothered to queue up to go to the toilets

"From a very young age, Brazilians learn they can relieve themselves anywhere."

But the situation is getting better, after stadium authorities started employing an "anti-urinating" squad, South Africa's Press Agency reports.

Eight staff members are detailed to patrol the corridors of the stands on match days to dissuade fans from urinating anywhere they feel like by pointing them towards the 60 renovated toilet blocks at their disposal.

The stadium was threatened with demolition in the 1990s as it had been badly maintained, fallen into disrepair and was losing money.

But after legendary Pele described the stadium as a "sentimental and indispensible feature of Brazilian life," the government agreed on a revamp.