Abel Ferreira back on Palmeiras bench against Cruzeiro after seven-match ban | OneFootball

Abel Ferreira returns to the Palmeiras dugout for Saturday’s Brasileirão meeting with Cruzeiro at Arena Crefisa Barueri, kick-off 21:00 Brasília time, after completing a seven-match suspension.

Globo.com reports that a month ago the STJD cut his punishment from eight to seven games, and because he had already served three he missed the last four rounds while Palmeiras stayed top.

Assistant João Martins led the side to wins over Athletico-PR and Bragantino, and draws against Santos and Remo.

During his ban Ferreira declined to comment, but football director Anderson Barros expressed the club’s displeasure, calling the sanction unprecedented and arbitrary and urging consistent treatment in similar cases.

Ferreira has overseen 387 matches for Palmeiras, or 427 when counting games with his assistants on the bench, and has been dismissed 14 times with 71 yellow cards. Three reds have come this year, two in the league against Fluminense and São Paulo, a sequence that triggered the STJD ban.

On his return, Palmeiras aim to protect at least a four-point lead over Flamengo, who have a game in hand. The top two meet next weekend.

Source: Globo.com