In an official statement, Flamengo harshly criticized Brazilian refereeing, citing VAR data and calling for stricter criteria to ensure the credibility of competitions.
The Brazilian soccer scene was shaken this Saturday (1st) with the release of a strong official statement from Flamengo. The Rio de Janeiro club voiced its criticism of national refereeing, advocating for significant changes in the conduct of officials during matches. The statement comes at a time of intense debate surrounding officiating, especially after the return of the World Cup.
The central point of the communiqué is the demand for clearer and more uniform criteria, aiming to restore the credibility of competitions. Flamengo argues that the discussion about refereeing has taken center stage, overshadowing the spectacle of soccer on the field.
VAR Statistics and the Mention of Palmeiras
To substantiate its criticisms, Rubro-Negro utilized data from ge’s “Espião Estatístico” (Statistical Spy), which points to Palmeiras as the leader in positive VAR decision balance from 2020 to the 2026 Brazilian Serie A. According to the survey, the São Paulo club recorded 65 decisions altered in its favor and 47 against, resulting in a positive balance of 18 interventions, in addition to being the team with the highest total number of video assistant referee participations during the period.
Despite presenting these numbers, Flamengo made a point of emphasizing that no isolated statistic proves favoritism. However, the club maintains that the history of recent seasons is crucial to understanding why refereeing continues to be one of the most debated topics in national soccer.
Pressure on Referees and the Pursuit of “Fair Play”
Flamengo‘s official statement also addresses the behavior of athletes and coaching staffs, who frequently exert pressure on referees. The club classified this conduct as a recurrent strategy, involving constant complaints and surrounding the refereeing team, even in less complex plays.
In Flamengo‘s view, it is up to the referees to curb such attitudes and apply the rules impartially, regardless of the team involved. The club argues that the World Cup serves as an example of refereeing guided by strict adherence to rules and the concept of “fair play,” a standard that should be replicated in Brazilian soccer.
CBF’s Advances and the Demand for Accountability
The communiqué acknowledges the efforts of the CBF Refereeing Commission in promoting training, releasing VAR audio, and implementing new technologies. However, Flamengo emphasizes that the final decisions always rest with the on-field referees and those responsible for the video.
As an example, the club cited the match between Vitória and Palmeiras, where decisions were made directly by referee Alex Gomes Stefano and the VAR official, Marco Aurélio Augusto Fazekas Ferreira. Flamengo argues that serious errors and passivity in the face of pressure must lead to accountability, as such decisions have a direct impact on title races, spots in competitions, and the fight against relegation.
M360 Staff
