São Paulo fans confront squad after derby loss, demand relegation fight | OneFootball

About 40 members of the Torcida Independente supporters group were at the Barra Funda training center on the night of this Saturday (24) after the 3-1 defeat of São Paulo in the derby against Palmeiras in the Paulistão, for a conversation and to demand accountability from the main leaders of the squad.

Although there were no insults or chants from the organized supporters, the conversation had a demanding tone due to the team's current situation on the field. There have already been five matches this season, with only one victory and a real risk of relegation in the Campeonato Paulista.

According to an initial report from UOL, Independente demanded a stronger attitude from the team and said that the threat of relegation in the Paulistão is unacceptable. However, the fans told the players that their main demands will continue to be directed at the board so that the squad’s salaries are paid on time.

But the message was clear: much respect for the tricolor shirt and double attention on the field. São Paulo faces a tough sequence ahead, debuting midweek in the Brasileirão against Flamengo, and then facing Santos twice, once in the Paulistão and once in the National league.

However, the group of supporters showed themselves to be united with the team, promising to fill the stands in the upcoming matches for São Paulo.

Aware of the biggest crisis in the club’s history, coach Hernán Crespo did not hide that the troubled environment and the delay in paying players’ salaries is indeed having an impact on the field.

“You can’t think that what’s happening off the field doesn’t have an impact on the team. We’re talking about people who haven’t been paid for months. The president resigned, Muricy left. Don’t touch the group, don’t touch the players. They’re doing their best. I’ve known difficult groups, but this one is made up of good people who are giving their all,” said the Argentine in a press conference at Arena Barueri after the defeat.

The next commitment for Tricolor in the Paulistão is against Santos, on Sunday (2/1), in the only derby to be played at Morumbi. But before that, on Wednesday (28), they face Flamengo in the first round of the Campeonato Brasileiro. The warning signs are more than on.

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