England to play Brazil to mark 150th anniversary

England will play friendlies against Brazil and the Republic of Ireland in 2013 as a way of launching the Football Association’s 150th anniversary, the national governing body said Wednesday. Five-time World Cup winners Brazil will visit Wembley in February as part of a two-match arrangement that sees England heading to South America for a brief tour in June. Prior to that trip, England will play the Republic of Ireland, also at Wembley, for the first time since their infamous fixture in 1995 was abandoned after a riot by England fans at Dublin’s Lansdowne Road. News of these fixtures come after the FA announced their 150th anniversary would also feature a match in August between England and Scotland — international football’s oldest clash. Club England managing director Adrian Bevington said: “We’re delighted Brazil will kick off the FA’s 150th anniversary celebrations at Wembley. 2013 is a landmark year for The FA and an exciting England fixture programme in addition to Wembley hosting the UEFA Champions League Final.”