Hugo hits out at derby officiating: “Only gave one team the calls”

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·13 April 2026

Hugo hits out at derby officiating: “Only gave one team the calls”

With two players less, Corinthians drew 0-0 with Palmeiras in the 11th round of the Brazilian Championship. Goalkeeper Hugo Souza criticized the officiating, saying referee Flávio Rodrigues de Souza “officiated for only one team.”

“Every time we talk about refereeing. I think today the referee really played a big role in the match. It was clear that he officiated for only one team. But we fought like crazy, we gave everything, we fully committed ourselves,” the goalkeeper told CazéTV.

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The first Corinthians player sent off was André, in the 35th minute of the first half. After a challenge with Andreas Pereira, the Alvinegro midfielder grabbed his private parts and was therefore sent off for an obscene gesture. In the 26th minute of the second half, it was Matheuzinho’s turn. The right-back got tangled up with Flaco López and left his arm on the Argentine’s face, being sent off for unsportsmanlike conduct.

“We had to adapt to the game, we played a hell of a match, we defended the whole time. Palmeiras had very few clear scoring chances. The clearest chances were ours. That shows the strength our team has, it shows the strength we’re able to draw from within,” the goalkeeper added.

Reaction in the league

However, the draw also marked Corinthians’ eighth straight game without a win in the Brasileirão. The last time Timão won in the competition was on February 19, in a 1-0 victory over Athletico-PR, in the postponed match from the second round of the tournament. The goalkeeper acknowledged the poor run, but said that Alvinegro’s “way of playing” will be key to winning again.

“And if we keep playing this way, if we keep fighting, then we can get back to a run of wins and pick up points in this championship, which is important,” he concluded.

Corinthians’ next match