Palmeiras defend synthetic pitch, take swipe at Flamengo | OneFootball

The controversy over synthetic turf is in full swing in Brazilian football, especially between Palmeiras and Flamengo. This Friday, Verdão used its social media to present a kind of “dossier”, where it shares data that supports the use of synthetic turf.

Additionally, it made clear provocations towards Flamengo, which publicly criticizes the use of the technology through its president, Luiz Eduardo Baptista, known as Bap.

Synthetic or Hole?

With the title “Synthetic or Hole?”, Palmeiras began its series of posts claiming it would show facts that would combat the “Fake News” regarding the use of synthetic turf.

First, Palmeiras presented data on the annual average of injuries in Serie A clubs since 2020, when synthetic turf was installed at Allianz Parque. The Alviverde was the club with the lowest average (28 injuries per year).

Then, it released research showing that Palmeiras, which trains constantly on synthetic turf, was below the European football average in terms of “days lost by injured athletes” and “incidence of injuries in training sessions.”

Photo: Disclosure / Palmeiras

Provocations to Flamengo

Next, Palmeiras made clear provocations to Flamengo, showing headlines from football personalities criticizing the Maracanã turf. “Is the neighbor’s grass really greener?” the São Paulo club mocked.

Moreover, Palmeiras used interviews from Flamengo’s own athletes about the Maracanã turf. Statements from Jorginho, Léo Pereira, and Samuel Lino in 2025 were retrieved in Verdão's “dossier.”

Photo: Disclosure / Palmeiras

The Controversy with Flamengo and Bap’s Statements

Last Tuesday, Flamengo filed a proposal with the CBF for the improvement and standardization of pitches in Brazil. One of the points requested by the Rubro-Negro is precisely the end of synthetic fields, which will increase in the Brazilian Championship next year.

With Athletico-PR (Arena da Baixada) and Chapecoense (Arena Condá) joining Serie A, the Brasileirão now has 30% of teams playing on synthetic turf, an unprecedented number in the competition. Besides them, Palmeiras (Allianz Parque), Botafogo (Nilton Santos), and Atlético-MG (Arena MRV) also use the same type of surface.

“It’s not just about pitch standardization. We have been campaigning hard against synthetic turf. In 2026, there will be 18 stadiums, six of them with synthetic turf. It’s a shame that we accept this in Brazil. We will work openly against it. Not only for pitch standardization but also for the field we play on. Plastic field, no. Those who think about making money by hosting shows should change business. Get out of football and go live off show business, no problem,” said Bap, before the Brasileirão award organized by the CBF, on Monday.

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