Palmeiras and São Paulo in refereeing row before Choque-Rei at Morumbis | OneFootball

Palmeiras and São Paulo have been drawn into a fresh dispute over officiating in the build-up to Saturday’s Choque-Rei, which kicks off at 21:00 at Morumbis in the eighth round of the Brasileiro.

'The opponent won the last game because of glaring refereeing errors. Episodes like that cannot be repeated,' said São Paulo football executive Rui Costa, speaking to ESPN on Thursday.

'We will face an extremely competent, well organised team with a capable coach, which is why refereeing must let the game be decided on the pitch. Unfortunately, that has not been happening,' he added.

Palmeiras soon issued comments from football director Anderson Barros, who condemned the remarks as opportunistic and irresponsible. He said this had to stop, arguing São Paulo were again showing a long-standing way of acting, and warned that otherwise football would not evolve.

Barros added that such a stance could not continue, and that Rui should not take it, especially with a clássico 48 hours away.

Rui Costa had also criticised officiating after São Paulo’s elimination from the Paulistão.

Source: Globo.com