Abel Ferreira apologises for gesture to Flaco López: ‘It was a mistake’

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·14 May 2026

Abel Ferreira apologises for gesture to Flaco López: ‘It was a mistake’

Coach Abel Ferreira opened the press conference after Palmeiras’ win over Jacuipense this Wednesday (13) by apologizing for the gesture he made while celebrating one of the team’s goals in the match against Sporting Cristal in the Copa Libertadores.

On that occasion, the coach showed his middle finger toward striker Flaco López, in response to the “thumbs-up” gesture the center-forward had made earlier in Lima, Peru.

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Suspended for the match against Remo, Abel had not given an interview since then and used the press conference in Londrina to publicly address the incident.

– I want to apologize for the gesture I made in the last match. It was not meant to provoke anyone, but the image was so close-up that I wanted to apologize for my gesture. It was a mistake, even though I had no intention of provoking anyone. As Palmeiras’ coach, I understand that I am much more than just a football coach, and that is why I acknowledge my mistake – he said.

Reserve team gets the job done

On the pitch, Palmeiras secured qualification for the Copa do Brasil round of 16 with a 4-1 win over Jacuipense at Estádio do Café in Londrina.

With the squad physically worn down and facing a heavy run of matches, Abel chose to field an almost entirely reserve side. Even so, Verdão controlled the match and won with goals from Mauricio, Felipe Anderson, Erick Belé, and Luighi.

Felipe Anderson was one of the standout performers and was directly involved in three of the team’s goals. Abel praised the players who usually get fewer opportunities in the main squad.

– They have been the players who train the most. The ones who play the most practically only recover. And these are the ones who train the most – he commented. – The players of mine who have been playing less performed well, played a good match, enjoyed playing football, with enthusiasm, responsibility, and discipline. They played a beautiful match, congratulations to them. Sometimes it’s not easy; they are players who play less. They have my admiration and my respect. It was good for them and for us to play a match like this – he added.

What now?

The qualification keeps Palmeiras alive in every competition this season. Leaders of the Brazilian Championship, the club now turns its attention to the clash against Cruzeiro on Saturday, in the 16th round, on Saturday (17).

With 34 points, Verdão remains at the top of the Brasileirão table, four points ahead of Flamengo, second place in the league.

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