CBF shares VAR audio, explains Thaís Regina red in Corinthians v Bahia | OneFootball

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) released, this Friday (25), the audio of the VAR review that resulted in Thaís Regina’s sending-off during Corinthians’ 1-0 win over Bahia last Monday (21) at Neo Química Arena, in the second leg of the Brazilian Women’s Championship semifinal. The Refereeing Committee deemed the red card for serious foul play correct after reviewing the incident.

The sending-off happened in the 33rd minute of the first half, when Thaís Regina challenged Wendy Carballo for the ball. Initially, referee Deborah Cecília Cruz Correia did not call a foul, but she was sent to the monitor after a recommendation from video assistant referee Paulo Renato Moreira da Silva Coelho.

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In the review, VAR determined that the Corinthians defender struck her opponent’s ankle with high intensity. The video team also noted that Thaís made slight contact with the ball, but understood that this did not lessen the severity of the challenge.

“I see high intensity in this play. The sole of the boot is above the ankle. For me, this is a play worthy of review. The fact that she touches the ball does not exempt her from blame or from using force at this intensity,” said the VAR during communication with the referee.

VAR highlighted contact on the opponent’s plant foot

When recommending the review, the video officiating team instructed Deborah on the elements that should be observed in the footage. According to the review, Wendy touched the ball first, while the Corinthians defender made slight contact before hitting her opponent.

“When you get to the ball, you will see that the Bahia player is the one who touches the ball first. The Corinthians player gets a slight touch on the ball, but she hits with the sole of the boot, with high intensity, above the ankle line.”

After watching the footage on the monitor, Deborah changed her initial decision and showed a straight red card to Thaís Regina. Corinthians, who were already leading the match, had to play the rest of the game with one player fewer.

In the assessment later published by the CBF Refereeing Committee, the entity concluded that the defender used excessive force when launching into the challenge and put her opponent’s physical safety at risk.

According to the opinion, the contact with the ball was only slight, while the impact on Wendy’s ankle was full, precisely on the foot she was using for support. Based on these elements, the Committee classified the play as serious foul play and upheld the decision made after VAR intervention.

Emily Lima questioned the refereeing criteria after the match

The sending-off was also addressed by Emily Lima in the post-qualification press conference. The coach avoided focusing her analysis solely on the incident involving Thaís, but questioned the criteria adopted by the refereeing throughout the match and recalled another sending-off suffered by the Brabas this season.

“It’s hard to talk about refereeing. I’m not one to keep commenting on it, but, coincidentally, we had two send-offs this year with exactly the same referee: one for Dayana (Rodríguez) against Flamengo, when there were two absurd yellow cards followed by a red, and today Thaís Regina’s. I don’t like talking too much, but I think they need to use the same criteria for both teams, which ended up not happening today,” she said.

Even with a numerical disadvantage, Corinthians held on to the lead built in the first half and confirmed the 1-0 victory. As they had also won the first leg by the same score, Timão closed the semifinal with a 2-0 aggregate and advanced to the national final.

Thaís Regina will miss Corinthians’ first final

The red card will have a direct impact on the black-and-white side’s lineup for the next match. Suspended, Thaís Regina will not be able to face São Paulo in the first leg of the Brasileirão Feminino final, scheduled for this Saturday (26), at 4:30 p.m. (Brasília time), at Neo Química Arena.

To form the defensive unit, Emily Lima can rely on Thaís Ferreira, Duda Mineira, and Agustina, who has not yet played for Corinthians in 2026. Erika, who has been dealing with knee pain, is doubtful for the final.

Corinthians and São Paulo will meet again on October 3, at 4:30 p.m. (Brasília time), at Morumbis, in the match that will decide the Brazilian champion.

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