Palmeiras manager Abel Ferreira has raised the stakes in response to Flamengo‘s criticism of match officiating, recalling the Libertadores final and calling for full focus on the play on the pitch.
The rivalry between Palmeiras and Flamengo has entered a heated new chapter behind the scenes. After the Rio de Janeiro club publicly questioned the recurring VAR interventions in favor of the São Paulo side, manager Abel Ferreira did not hold back. In a recent press conference, the Portuguese coach countered the insinuations, suggesting that his critics have a “short memory” when analyzing the recent history of officiating in national and continental competitions.
The controversy escalated after club president Leila Pereira described the stance taken by Flamengo’s board as “absurdly shameless.” Both the executive and the manager emphasized that the focus should remain on what happens within the four lines, even as the history of controversial decisions continues to create a tense atmosphere behind the scenes of Brazilian football, directly impacting the mood for upcoming Brazilian Serie A matches.
The weight of the past and the Libertadores final
To support his argument, Abel Ferreira revisited the Libertadores final, when Palmeiras faced Flamengo. The coach pointed to a play involving midfielder Erick Pulgar as an example of a decision that, according to him, was ignored by both the referee and VAR at the time, ultimately influencing the outcome of the match.
“Everyone has a short memory. The Libertadores final was last year and there is an asterisk that no one will ever erase. I already told the referee what I thought about it. At the end of the match, I went to ask why neither he nor the VAR saw what everyone else saw.”
Recurring tensions and the current scenario
In addition to the controversy with the Rubro-Negro, the Portuguese manager cited the match against São Paulo at MorumBis in 2025 to illustrate how third parties often interfere in matters that do not concern them. Abel highlighted that the suspension of referee Ramon Abatti Abel following that match was an isolated episode between two teams, which was subsequently amplified by rivals to cast a negative image on the Alviverde.
As reported by the M360 Team, the situation at the STJD is currently tense. Palmeiras has officially filed a challenge against a complaint involving player Maurício, fearing that external judgments may once again disrupt the team’s planning for the remainder of the season. The club maintains that resolutions should be based strictly on specific incidents, avoiding interference from other clubs or public opinion regarding the institution’s sporting performance.
M360 Team
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