Corinthians director backs Hugo, laments Paulista semi-final date | OneFootball

Corinthians' football director, Marcelo Paz, lamented the schedule set by the FPF (Paulista Football Federation) for the semifinals of the Campeonato Paulista. The Timão will face Novorizontino this Saturday at 8:30 PM (Brasília time) at Estádio Dr. Jorge Ismael de Biasi, in Novo Horizonte (SP).

Marcelo Paz explained that Corinthians, like Novorizontino, wanted to play on Sunday to have more rest time. However, this possibility was dismissed at the Technical Council meeting on Monday after an agreement between the federation and the broadcasting rights holders. The Timão then just accepted the decision.

“A very difficult game awaits us on Saturday. Unfortunately, it will be on Saturday. We wanted it to be on Sunday because Corinthians has been resting only three days between games since the match against Athletico-PR, which is not ideal. The ideal recovery rest starts on the fourth day. Then you have complete recovery. Three days between games is bad. It was three days from the Athletico Paranaense game to the Portuguesa game. It will be three days from Portuguesa to Cruzeiro, and three days from Cruzeiro to the semifinal. This gives us a technical disadvantage,” said the executive.

“Unfortunately, it wasn't possible due to commercial reasons. It's not a criticism of the Federation at all; they do what they can, but there are contracts. The rights holders chose, and unfortunately, this situation will occur. Novorizontino itself agreed to play on Sunday. They also wanted to play on Sunday, but it wasn't possible because of the rights holders. We respect that, but I have to say it causes a technical disadvantage. It's part of it, we will deal with it, but it should be noted that both preferred to play on Sunday,” he added.

Paz condemns attacks on Hugo

Last Sunday, after Corinthians' qualification on penalties, goalkeeper Hugo Souza was subjected to racist insults by fans in the stands at Canindé. Marcelo Paz, of course, condemned the attacks on the player. The executive, however, made it clear that the measures should not be against Portuguesa, but against the individuals involved.

“The measure should not be against Portuguesa, it should be against those individuals who did that. It's not Portuguesa or their fans. We need to individualize, it's about the CPF, the people who were there, unnecessarily doing something deplorable. It cannot be tolerated; it's not an isolated case, it's been happening frequently in society. Football is also a mirror. If we are firm, we can educate in some way. The Federation was also charged by us today,” explained the director.

“If Hugo wishes to proceed with police action, we will fully support him to ensure the due punishment for people who do not deserve to be in a public environment, in a football stadium. We can highlight yesterday's game with two fan bases, which was a different spectacle. Those people are going against everything being done. It's even easy to identify them, especially since there were few people there at the end. We deeply regret it,” he continued.

As he left the field, Hugo Souza was insulted by some fans with taunts like: “Toothless, starving”; “Go cut that hair, you lice-ridden”; and “Slum dweller.” Marcelo Paz revealed that he hasn't yet contacted the goalkeeper after the incident but assured that he will have all the necessary support from the club.

“Hugo was super happy yesterday because he played a great game, saving three penalties. I'm sure Ancelotti was watching this game, and I hope he gets called up. We haven't specifically addressed it, but those people couldn't take away Hugo's energy. He was happy and radiant for what he did, for what he contributed to Corinthians, but certainly, when he gets home, he remembers, sees the video circulating of what happened. He will have all our support. I couldn't go to the training center today because I came here, but we've already put our staff to tell him he has our support,” concluded Paz.

Corinthians, Portuguesa, and the FPF released official statements condemning the racist insults to Hugo Souza. Lusa promised to punish those involved.

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