It’s one of world’s most iconic sports stadiums.

The turf of Rio’s Maracana stadium has played host to some sport’s most iconic moments.

None were bigger than the 1950 World Cup Final between Brazil and Uruguay which drew a crowd of over 200,000, one of the largest ever for a sporting event.

More recently the Maracana hosted another World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics last year. Since then though things appear to have gone completely pear-shaped at the famous stadium.

In recent weeks serious looting has seen countless valuables vanish from the stadium. Fire extinguishers, hoses, televisions and even a bronze bust of Mario Filho, the journalist after whom the stadium was named, were among the items stolen, the Rio de Janeiro Football Federation said in a statement on Tuesday.

“The worries over the present and the future of the stadium are only increasing,” the Federation said.

Pictures published in Rio newspapers have painted a sorry sight. Seats are missing and the turf dry, worn and filled with ruts and holes.

Maracanã, the mythical stadium that hosted The World Cup final of 1950 and 2014 was abandoned by brazilian politicians. #SOSMaracanã pic.twitter.com/4cvuAQXxXX — Cynara Peixoto (@blogvaimengao) January 5, 2017

One must wonder what the heck Football Officials and Rio Politicians are doing allowing a sporting and cultural jewel to rot.

Maracanã, six months after the Olympics, is a perfect image of the “legacy” of the mega-events in Brazil. pic.twitter.com/K7JuQEsrRE — Jamil Chade (@JamilChade) January 5, 2017

Looking at these latest pictures it’s hard to believe that this is the place where some of the all time best used to shine.

Pele’s famous bicycle kick at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, 1965. pic.twitter.com/6oJ9zUE61Z — Google Facts (@GoogleFacts) January 7, 2017

Let’s hope somebody in Brazil can pull their finger out to save this great stadium before it’s too late.

by Michael T. Lynch – contributor