Relive São Paulo’s most controversial refereeing moments this season | OneFootball

The 2025 season for São Paulo had a melancholic tone for the fans. Amid disappointments on the field and frustrating results, the year was also marked by controversial episodes involving refereeing and the Tricolor, curiously, almost all against the same rival. In light of this, Gazeta Esportiva has gathered the main controversial refereeing moments that marked São Paulo in 2025. Check them out!

Controversy in the Paulista Semifinal

Photo: Cesar Greco/Palmeiras/by Canon

The first major controversy happened in the derby against Palmeiras, in the semifinal of the Campeonato Paulista, played at Allianz Parque on March 10.

In the final minutes of the first half, goalkeeper Rafael, under pressure from the Palmeiras attack, tried to play out with Arboleda but ended up giving the ball away to Vitor Roque. The striker fell after a challenge with the Ecuadorian defender, and referee Flávio Rodrigues de Souza awarded a penalty—a decision widely contested by São Paulo fans. Raphael Veiga converted the penalty and scored the winning goal, sending Verdão to the State Championship final.

After the match, president Julio Casares and then football director Carlos Belmonte harshly criticized the call. São Paulo’s official Instagram account also spoke out, stating that the defeat happened “after a shameful penalty for the home team (Palmeiras).”

Unawarded Penalty and Red Card in Comeback Defeat

Photo: Paulo Pinto / São Paulo FC

In the second round of the Campeonato Brasileiro, again against Palmeiras, this time at Morumbis on October 5, the episode considered the biggest refereeing controversy involving São Paulo in the season took place.

With Tricolor leading 2–0, two crucial incidents were not called in favor of the team, causing strong outrage. The most talked about was the possible penalty on Tapia. Six minutes into the second half, the Chilean striker was brought down by Allan inside the box. However, referee Ramon Abatti Abel interpreted the play as a slip by the Palmeiras player and let the game continue.

Right after, Andreas Pereira hit Marcos Antônio’s ankle with his studs. Despite the seriousness of the foul, the referee only gave a yellow card, to the indignation of São Paulo fans.

Ramon Abatti Abel also did not go to the VAR booth to review either play, which further increased São Paulo’s frustration.

Additionally, the club complained about two other incidents involving Gustavo Gómez. In the 36th minute of the first half, the defender contested space with Tapia and stepped on his opponent’s foot. According to São Paulo, the play warranted a red card.

Then, in the 12th minute, in another clash between the two, Gómez hit Tapia in the nose with his elbow. The referee did not see the play, and the match continued until VAR alerted him to the Tricolor striker’s bleeding.

After these controversial episodes, Palmeiras scored three goals in just 19 minutes and turned the Choque-Rei around.

Later, in November, the referee and VAR Ilbert Estevam received 40-day suspensions after a ruling by the Superior Tribunal de Justiça Desportiva (STJD).

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