Corinthians player backs Flamengo, slams: "Synthetic pitches are awful" | OneFootball

Matheus Pereira, from Corinthians, Flamengo’s next opponent in the Brasileirão, criticized artificial pitches

Flamengo is leading the campaign against artificial pitches in Brazil and has submitted a proposal to the CBF to standardize fields across the country, aiming for a high-level standard. The topic has come back into the spotlight with recent criticism from players about this type of surface, including Matheus Pereira from Corinthians, Flamengo’s next opponent in the Brasileirão.

After the match at Arena Condá, against Chapecoense, Matheus Pereira strongly criticized the type of pitch used in the game. In an interview with Prime Video, the player stated: “Synthetic turf doesn’t work, man, it’s very hard to play on synthetic turf, it’s really bad. Synthetic turf only increases the risk of injury for us players.”

FLAMENGO vs SYNTHETIC PITCHES?

In addition to submitting a proposal to the CBF to standardize fields in the country, Bap, president of Flamengo, has unequivocally condemned the use of artificial pitches in Brazilian football. Furthermore, the president emphasized that the priority should be the safety of the players and the maintenance of field quality for all clubs.

“Some clubs in Brazil have stadiums with artificial turf because they host concerts. They’re in the wrong business. They should focus on show business and leave football behind. If I wanted, I could host concerts 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.

“Synthetic fields are not healthy for the 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 follows all the rules,” he added.

It’s worth noting that Série A of the Campeonato Brasileiro currently has six stadiums that use artificial turf. Among them are Allianz Parque, Arena Barueri, Arena Condá, Arena da Baixada, Arena MRV, and Nilton Santos.

WHERE WILL FLAMENGO AND CORINTHIANS FACE OFF?

Next Sunday (22), Flamengo will visit Corinthians at the Neo Química Arena, which has a hybrid pitch, combining natural grass with about 4% stitched synthetic fibers. The match will kick off at 8:30 p.m. (Brasília time), for the eighth round of the Brasileirão.

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