Record! Abel cites Flamengo, rues Palmeiras's Libertadores loss | OneFootball

After the World Cup break, the debate over refereeing once again took center stage in Brazilian football. And that is no coincidence. In recent years, a perception has taken hold among fans, football professionals, and a significant part of public opinion that a certain club has been repeatedly favored by refereeing decisions. This perception does not stem only from sporting rivalry. It is also supported by numbers. A survey by Espião Estatístico, from ge, shows that since the implementation of the VAR ranking in 2020 through the 2026 Brazilian Championship, Palmeiras has accumulated the highest number of decisions changed in its favor (65), the lowest number of decisions against it among the country’s main clubs (47), and the biggest positive balance in Brazilian football (+18). It also leads in the total number of VAR interventions. The numbers from this edition of the Brasileirão point in the same direction. Palmeiras is the 5th team that needs to commit the most fouls to receive a yellow card (6.72 fouls per booking), while its opponents are among those who receive the most yellow and red cards when facing them. No single piece of data proves favoritism. But statistics accumulated over seven seasons help explain why this debate never ends and remains a topic for everyone involved in football. The behavior adopted on and off the pitch also deserves reflection. It has become frequent to watch players and coaching staffs surround referees, complain ostentatiously, and cast themselves as victims even after obvious fouls or even a simple throw-in. A studied and coordinated action. It is important to recognize the investments made by the CBF and the advances promoted by the Refereeing Commission, with training, the release of VAR audio, and the implementation of new technologies. However, they are not the ones who enforce the rules that may ultimately decide matches. In the match between Vitória and Palmeiras, for example, the decisions were made by Alex Gomes Stefano on the field and Marco Aurélio Augusto Fazekas Ferreira in VAR. These are the referees who interpret incidents, apply the rules, and make decisions capable of changing standings, influencing title races, qualification spots, and relegation battles. Therefore, they must also be held accountable when they make serious mistakes, when they are passive in the face of pressure even on throw-ins, and when they fail to curb systematic misconduct, as the rules require. The World Cup recently showed the way; referees and players who were there, many of them playing in Brazil, acted there according to the “fair play” rule, and they should do the same here. Brazilian football needs to go back to discussing the game more than the refereeing. This will only be possible when referees adopt clear criteria and stop rewarding teams that use pressure throughout the match as a strategy. The rules must be followed by everyone, including the referees. Football is passion and a big business. That is why it needs credibility from those tasked with enforcing the rules of the game.”

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