Controversial ref who gave Palmeiras a penalty set for São Paulo v Grêmio | OneFootball

After the huge arbitration controversy in the classic match between São Paulo and Palmeiras, the incredible coincidences of life have pointed to a referee for the next Tricolor game in the Brasileirão, against Grêmio, this Thursday (16), which promises to generate much discussion.

Mr. Davi de Oliveira Lacerda, 29 years old, from Espírito Santo, was appointed for the match between the tricolors this week, in a public hearing held this afternoon, especially at Granja Comary, in Rio de Janeiro (RJ), with the presence of Marcelo van Gasse, vice-president of the CBF arbitration committee.

This same referee called an incredible penalty in favor of Palmeiras in the match against Juventude, this Saturday (11), in a delayed round of the Brasileiro. The move, this time, unlike the Choque-Rei, was reviewed in the VAR booth and correctly annulled. Watch below:

This year, Lacerda has already refereed two São Paulo matches in the competition, a 2-2 draw with Botafogo in Rio de Janeiro, and a 3-1 victory over Fluminense at Morumbi.

ALREADY GENERATED A NOTE OF REPUDIATION

But the referee's controversies have followed him this year. In the semifinal of the Campeonato Capixaba, between Desportiva Ferroviária and Rio Branco, the arbitration team ignored two questionable penalty situations, even after VAR analysis.

Feeling wronged, Desportiva protested and issued a note of repudiation against the Football Federation (FES), accusing referee Davi Lacerda of having a passionate connection with Rio Branco, as he had been a player for the opponent in the youth divisions.

“The referee's stance in the face of mistaken decisions and the non-use of VAR caused us immense surprise, as evidence and proof of professional and passionate ties between him and the rival team, favored in the cited situations, were presented,” said the statement.

Later, in a match for the 6th round of the Brasileirão 2025, the referee from Espírito Santo also caused outrage by not calling a penalty in the match between Atlético-MG and Mirassol.

Midfielder Gustavo Scarpa was brought down inside the opponent's area, but the referee did not call a foul. Called by VAR to review the play, Lacerda pointed to a foul by the Atlético player at the start of the play, thus nullifying a possible penalty in favor of the Minas Gerais team.

The referee's decision caused great outrage among Atlético fans, with many protests from the crowd. Now, with referees in focus after so many recent errors, including against São Paulo, we hope his name will not be the main attraction of the match against Grêmio.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.