Torcida Jovem accuse Santos board of breaking pact on Ecuador trip | OneFootball

Torcida Jovem, Santos’s main organised supporters’ group, say an agreement with the club’s hierarchy has been breached after media and guests travelled with the delegation to Ecuador on Tuesday for the Macará second leg. According to Diario Do Peixe, the group argue this goes against what had been set with fans, players and directors.

On 13 August, Torcida Jovem met president Marcelo Teixeira and directors to discuss the team’s moment. The plan was to shield the squad, limiting access for outsiders on trips, in the dressing room and at the training ground.

After talks with the squad, which the group called a straight conversation, a protection pact to the end of the year was set to curb false stories and leaks. Support at Vila Belmiro would continue while players maintained their level of commitment.

On the same 13th, Santos beat Macará 2-1 at Vila Belmiro in the Copa Sul-Americana round of 16 first leg. Three days later they won 3-0 away to Vasco in the Campeonato Brasileiro and climbed out of the relegation zone.

The group now argue the decision to allow press and guests on Tuesday’s flight undermined the pact. They say they knew of this before the team left Brazil and will keep monitoring the club’s environment.

They also warned that people exploiting proximity to Santos for personal gain are being watched and could face consequences.

Coach Cuca and Neymar both referenced the recent rapprochement, with Cuca noting two or three meetings with organised fans and saying the dialogue helped the club’s mood. Neymar said supporters shared their outside view while players explained what was happening inside.

Santos face Macará on Wednesday 20 at 21:30 Brasília time at Bellavista in Ambato, Ecuador, and will advance to the Copa Sul-Americana quarter-finals with a draw.

Source: Diario Do Peixe

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”