Federation president jokes: “We need to pray before São Paulo v Palmeiras” | OneFootball

The president of the Paulista Football Federation, Reinaldo Carneiro Bastos, used humor to comment on the latest refereeing complaints that occurred in a Paulista Championship semifinal between São Paulo and Palmeiras.

During a press conference on Monday (2), at the entity's headquarters, the leader sidestepped when questioned about São Paulo's complaints regarding the performance of Daiane Muniz, who failed to call a clear penalty for the Tricolor early in the second half of the match at Arena Barueri, when Gustavo Gómez deflected with his arm inside the area a cross attempt by Lucas.

Using a humorous tone, Bastos said that controversies and complaints have been setting the tone in recent clashes between the Tricolors and their green rival. He even said he resorts to faith before the classics.

“I have my opinion about yesterday's refereeing. First, we need to highlight how controversial, in recent years, the matches between Palmeiras and São Paulo have been. We've had them in the Copa do Brasil, Paulista, Brasileiro. We need to pray a little more before Palmeiras vs. São Paulo so that they go, regardless of the competition, more unscathed by controversies,” he said.

“Over the years, in my life in football, I hear a lot about all subjects. Refereeing is one that I handle with more care. For me, when there are people who think the refereeing was right and people who think the refereeing was wrong, I start from the principle and affirm to you that the refereeing was right,” completed the head of the highest football authority in São Paulo.

Bastos, however, disagreed with the analysis made by the Tricolors and said he approved of Daiane's performance in the classic and the lack of VAR interference in the incident.

“I don't go along with those when the image is clear. The image is clear about the incident. Then I follow the image. When VAR participates or not in an interpretative incident, and there are people who agree and who don't, I support the decision of the refereeing on the field,” he explained.

Right after the game, São Paulo's football executive, Rui Costa, said in a press conference that there is no interpretation in the controversial incident.

“Football has evolved, the dynamics of the game have evolved, and it is not possible that VAR did not recommend that she at least had the privilege of checking five times, ten times, seventy times. In the 70 times it would be a penalty,” he complained.

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