Eric Faria, a journalist from TV Globo, rebutted Abel Ferreira’s criticisms of Flamengo by analyzing controversial VAR incidents to question the coach’s consistency.
The controversy surrounding refereeing in Brazilian football has gained a new chapter after the VAR’s involvement in the match between Flamengo and Cruzeiro. The journalist points out that by analyzing Matheus Henrique’s tough tackle on Bruno Henrique, Eric Faria seized the opportunity to challenge the discourse of Palmeiras coach Abel Ferreira regarding the Rubro-Negro’sLibertadores title.
The media professional highlighted that the Palmeiras coach often cites an alleged ‘asterisk’ on Flamengo’s achievements. To counter this narrative, Faria compared three identical tackling incidents that did not result in an expulsion under the supervision of the same video assistant referee, Argentinian Hector Paletta.
Consistency or Selectivity?
In confronting the incidents, Eric Faria was direct in his assessment of the criteria adopted by the refereeing. In a social media post, he emphasized that selective complaints hinder the understanding of the game.
‘Three IDENTICAL incidents that should have been red card fouls. The same VAR. No call. No red card. Agree or not, the same criterion was used. No asterisk. No narrative. Play continues. A lot of shouting and little consistency.’
the commentator noted.
The Hector Paletta Factor
The core of the journalist’s argument lies with Hector Paletta, who was responsible for the VAR booth in both the Libertadores final and the recent Brazilian Championship match. The consistent application of the same criteria, which pardoned Raphael Veiga in 2023, Pulgar against Atlético-MG, and now Matheus Henrique, would serve as proof that the refereeing followed a pattern, regardless of who benefited or was disadvantaged.
Divided Opinions in the Media
The incident between the Cruzeiro midfielder and the Flamengo forward divided refereeing commentators. While PC Oliveira advocated for an expulsion due to serious foul play, a stance reinforced by Bruno Henrique’s physical condition after the match, other figures, such as Carlos Eugênio Simon, downplayed the infraction, claiming the contact was superficial.
The repercussions of the case call into question the impartiality of criticisms directed at Mengão. The editorial team emphasizes that a selective focus on certain incidents ignores structural errors, serving only to fuel rivalries without a consistent technical basis. The debate, however, is expected to continue on upcoming sports programs.
M360 Team
