The Brazilian Football Association is suspending the games of three clubs from the south due to flooding

The Brazilian Football Federation has suspended matches by three top clubs from the country’s flood-hit southern region, but only for 20 days.

Gremio, Internacional and Juventude, which are based in Rio Grande do Sul state, will not resume activities until the damage from major floods is mitigated, the Brazilian soccer federation said in a statement on Tuesday. Ten of their games in the Brazilian League and Cup will be postponed.

The decision also applies to away games for the three clubs.

Many fans and players had pushed for a complete stop to competitions in the South American country.

The football association said it would reassess its move after May 27.

“(The Brazilian Football Federation) emphasizes its full support so that all measures and actions are taken for the good of the population, which is the highest priority,” it said.

Later, South American soccer confederation CONMEBOL said it had postponed a group stage game by Gremio in the Copa Libertadores and another by Internacional in the Copa Sudamericana.

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According to authorities, at least 95 people have been killed in the region over the past seven days and another 131 are missing.

Both the Internacional and Gremio stadiums in the state capital Porto Alegre were flooded and their pitches were severely damaged by the water. Juventude’s stadium in the rural town of Caxias do Sul is at risk of flooding in the next few days.

Since last week, only jet skis have been used in the Beira-Rio and Arena do Gremio stadiums in Porto Alegre.

Porto Alegre’s airport and many of the city’s hotels and streets are also flooded, which would make it impossible for away teams to play even if local stadiums were evacuated immediately.

Other Brazilian clubs have expressed their support to the clubs in Rio Grande do Sul and have made their facilities available for training until the end of the month.

The weekend games of the fifth round of the Brazilian league were suspended for all three clubs.

Internacional is in ninth place with seven points, three behind leaders Athletico Paranaense. Gremio is in 11th place with six points and Juventude has five competition points.

According to authorities, more than a million people in the region were harmed by the rains. Around 200,000 people are now displaced and are seeking refuge in schools, gymnasiums and other emergency shelters.

More heavy rain is expected through the end of the week, forecasters say.

The suspension of professional football matches in the state of Rio Grande do Sul also applies to local clubs in Brazil’s third and fourth divisions, the national women’s football league and U20 tournaments.