Abel Ferreira is indicted by the STJD following an incident and criticism of refereeing. Palmeiras could lose its coach at crucial moments in the Brazilian Serie A, while Flamengo closes in on the top spot.
Palmeiras coach Abel Ferreira faces a new indictment from the Superior Sports Justice Tribunal (STJD) for acts of misconduct. This action follows the match against Mirassol, part of the 25th round of the Brazilian Serie A, where the coach showed moments of agitation on the sidelines and launched strong criticism at the refereeing.
The incident and subsequent indictment add pressure to Palmeiras, who seek to maintain their lead in a fierce title race. Abel Ferreira’s history of suspensions before the tribunal could worsen the situation, potentially resulting in a significant absence for the team in future games.
Abel Ferreira and the STJD Indictment
The STJD’s prosecutor’s office formalized the indictment against Abel Ferreira based on article 258 of the Brazilian Code of Sports Justice (CBJD). This article addresses actions that violate general discipline, without specific classification in other regulations. The penalty for such an infraction can range from one to six matches of suspension, which represents a concern for the club at a decisive moment of the season.
The coach’s behavior during the 1-1 draw with Mirassol included kicking a broadcast microphone and invading the field at Estádio Maião, actions that were recorded and will serve as evidence in the proceedings. This is not Abel Ferreira’s first encounter with the sports tribunal, which could influence the severity of the decision, given his history of repeat offenses.
History of Misconduct Weighs Against the Coach
The Portuguese coach is not a first-time offender before the STJD. In his career in Brazilian football, Abel Ferreira has already been subjected to two previous suspensions for on-field expulsions, totaling eight games. This recent history of penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct could be a determining factor in the current judgment, potentially resulting in a more rigorous sentence for the Palmeiras coach.
Harsh Criticism of Refereeing
After the match, Abel Ferreira used the press conference to express his dissatisfaction with referee João Vitor Gobi’s performance. The coach questioned the refereeing criteria, citing specific plays that, in his view, harmed Palmeiras. However, his analysis did not address a penalty overturned in favor of Mirassol, which also generated controversy.
“For these games, we want the best referees. And the criteria are unbelievable. How can Felipe Anderson get choked, and it’s not even a foul. On the foul against Marlon, there’s no foul and no yellow card. He sends off Arthur. And he continues with the same criteria throughout the whole game… That’s not right. He provokes those on the bench. In this type of game, you need the most prepared referees. This referee officiates the Paulistão, I know him. In my opinion, Brazil has better referees for these competitions,” declared Abel Ferreira.
Impact on the Title Race and Flamengo’s Advance
Palmeiras’ draw against Mirassol, combined with Abel Ferreira’s indictment, adds a layer of uncertainty to the final stretch of the Brazilian Serie A. Although the São Paulo club maintains the lead with 52 points, the gap to second-place Flamengo has significantly narrowed. The Rio de Janeiro team, with 48 points and one game in hand, capitalized on the round to cut the difference after beating Botafogo 3-0, with goals from Samuel Lino (twice) and Jorge Carrascal.
Flamengo’s next fixture will be crucial. The team will face Mirassol again on Wednesday (02), at 7:30 PM, at the Maracanã, in a postponed match from the fourth round. A victory for the rubro-negro in this encounter could further intensify the pressure on Palmeiras and its coach, who now faces a disciplinary process that could sideline him from the bench during the most decisive moments of the national competition.
Credit: Equipe M360
