Bap says Flamengo is an "island" in Brazil, hits out at artificial pitches | OneFootball

The president of Flamengo, Luiz Eduardo Baptista, made strong statements about the structure of Brazilian football. The leader of the Rubro-Negro claimed that his team is an “island” in the country, condemned teams that are against Financial Fair Play, and also criticized synthetic turf.

“Clubs must be professional so that Brazilian football is worthy of the 5 World Cups we have won. Flamengo is in Brazil today by chance. Because Flamengo is an island in Brazil. Our success is not because Flamengo is bigger. It’s because Flamengo is better managed,” said Bap, in an interview with the Spanish newspaper AS.

Despite the CBF starting with the plans for Financial Fair Play in Brazilian football, Bap emphasized that the current situation is already unpleasant. The Flamengo leader stated that if he wanted, he could bring Vinícius Jr. and Messi to win all the championships.

“When I hear other clubs say: ‘But if we implement Financial Fair Play in Brazil, we won’t win anything,’ I reply: ‘If I also stop paying my obligations, I will win everything in Brazil and on the continent!’. Imagine: if I take the money I pay in taxes, transfers, salaries, commissions and don’t pay, what will I do with that money? I will bring Lucas Paquetá, Vini Jr, Messi,” he continued.

“I don’t pay anyone, I build a sensational team and win everything. It’s absurd. Is it reasonable for Flamengo to pay its obligations and compete with other clubs that don’t pay and don’t suffer sanctions? No, it’s not,” completed the president.

Flamengo vs. Synthetics

One of the biggest spokespersons against synthetic turf, Bap also condemned once again the alternative surface in Brazilian football. The Série A of the Brazilian Championship already has six stadiums using artificial turf: Allianz Parque, Arena Barueri, Arena Condá, Arena da Baixada, Arena MRV, and Nilton Santos.

“Some clubs in Brazil have stadiums with artificial turf because they host shows. They are in the wrong business. They should dedicate themselves to the show business and abandon football. If I want, I can host shows at Maracanã. Many artists have already come. Frank Sinatra, the Rolling Stones… But no one will sing at Maracanã while I am president of Flamengo,” he said.

“The synthetic field is not healthy for players. Why does the CBF allow this? Why do other clubs want to make money this way? We are the first club in Brazil to support Financial and Sporting Fair Play. We want rules. Flamengo complies with all the rules. Flamengo is, without a doubt, a Brazilian club managed as if it were an international multinational. We are in Brazil by chance,” he completed.

Real Madrid of the Americas?

Bap also revealed that he traveled to Madrid to get some ideas for possible changes at Maracanã.

“I was in Madrid a few months ago and invited my wife to dinner at Santiago Bernabéu. ‘I wanted to see the service, if the glasses were crystal, what cutlery they used, the profile of the people…’ Flamengo observes what Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético de Madrid, Bayern Munich, Manchester City, PSG do… Flamengo thinks big,” he concluded.

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