RIO DE JANEIRO, May 23 -- Botafogo manager Paulo Autuori has criticized Flamengo's decision to resume training, insisting that now is not the time to think about restarting football in Brazil.

Latin America's largest country has the second highest number of coronavirus infections worldwide behind the United States with more than 347,000 confirmed cases and 22,000 deaths.

"We are going through one of our most difficult times," Autuori told the club's official website. "We are professionals and human beings, but we cannot confuse need with desire.

"Any professional in any segment wants to return to work normally and we are no different. But necessity makes us realize that this is not the time. It's amazing how people don't have the least amount of sensitivity. We can't rush things. I believe that no club is 100 percent ready to return at the moment."

Flamengo, the reigning Brazilian and Copa Libertadores champions, resumed training last week, defying a local government ban on all sports.

Rio de Janeiro's health secretary subsequently issued a statement in which it reiterated that non-essential activities remained suspended in the city until at least May 25. It did not say if action would be taken against Flamengo.

Brazilian football was suspended in mid-March and no date has been set for a restart.

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