Boto on Flamengo postponement row, digs at Palmeiras: “pro whingers”

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Coluna do Fla

·12 April 2026

Boto on Flamengo postponement row, digs at Palmeiras: “pro whingers”

Palmeiras released an official statement criticizing the postponement of Flamengo’s match

Although Flamengo and Fluminense had reached an agreement to postpone the match, the situation did not sit well with Palmeiras. Not surprisingly, on Saturday (11), the São Paulo club released an official statement and criticized the decision by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF). Flamengo director José Boto spoke on the matter and took a swipe at the interstate rival.

There is a lot of confusion, and I’ve heard a lot being said about something that should be normal. If there are clubs we are used to seeing that are crybabies, who cry about everything, professional complainers, there are others that really surprised me by speaking about something that does not concern them. It was a difficult trip (from Cusco to Rio de Janeiro), just as it was for Fluminense. For the good of the spectacle and the players’ health, there was an agreement between the clubs to play the match today. I’m sure the match we are going to watch today will be better than the one we would have seen yesterday. The players have one more day of rest, and it’s not just Flamengo’s players. Fluminense’s do as well. Obviously, if Fluminense’s coach didn’t think it would be better, and every coach wants more training days and more time for his players to rest, he would not have accepted it. It is something that is good for the spectacle, good for Brazilian football. People talk so much about a league, which should be something to protect the product, and seeing clubs criticize a decision that protects the players’ health and the product causes a lot of confusion by taking this path,” said Boto in an interview with ‘Flamengo TV’.

Why was the match between Flamengo and Fluminense postponed?

Originally scheduled for Saturday (11), the derby between Flamengo and Fluminense was postponed due to the difficulty the Rubro-Negro had in leaving the city of Cusco, Peru, after making their Libertadores debut. The initial forecast was for arrival in Rio de Janeiro in the early afternoon of Thursday (09), but the team only landed at night.

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Given this situation, Flamengo consulted Fluminense about their availability. Shortly afterward, the Rubro-Negro received the green light from the Military Police and the Rio de Janeiro State Football Federation (FERJ). Finally, the date of the clash was officially changed by the CBF.

Was Palmeiras bothered by the postponement?

Despite having nothing to do with the situation, Palmeiras did not like the CBF’s decision to postpone the match between Flamengo and Fluminense. Not surprisingly, in an official statement published this Saturday (11), Leila Pereira’s club criticized the organization’s decision.

We express our dissatisfaction with the CBF’s decision to accept Flamengo’s request to reschedule today’s match against Fluminense from today (11) to tomorrow (12). It is not for us to judge the merits of the request; however, it is necessary to question why only one club has its request granted, while other teams have had similar requests systematically rejected by the entity. In a calendar that is admittedly challenging, all clubs face logistical difficulties — including Palmeiras — and, therefore, it is essential that there be impartiality and transparency in decisions that may impact the championship,” the club said.

When will Flamengo take the field?

While Palmeiras keeps ‘crying,’ the Rio derby between Flamengo and Fluminense will take place this Sunday (12). Kickoff is at 6 p.m. (Brasília time) at the Maracanã, for the 11th round of the Brasileirão.

As tradition dictates, Coluna do Fla will bring all the details of the match between Flamengo and Fluminense through YouTube, the website and social media. However, Premiere (pay-per-view) will broadcast the Brasileirão derby.

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