Referee explains yellow card for Cruzeiro after elbow on Corinthians

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Central do Timão

·8 septembre 2025

Referee explains yellow card for Cruzeiro after elbow on Corinthians

By Henrique Pereira / Central do Timão Editorial Team

The match report from the clash between Corinthians and Cruzeiro, held last Sunday morning in Belo Horizonte, provided details about the yellow card given to forward Byanca Brasil. The game, part of the first leg of the Women's Brasileirão final, ended in a 2-2 draw, but an incident in the first half sparked widespread discussion.

The incident occurred when Byanca Brasil elbowed defender Érika. According to the official document, referee Thayslane de Melo Costa justified the warning by stating that the player was punished for “striking an opponent in a reckless manner during the ball dispute — for striking with the arm to the face of her opponent during the ball dispute.”

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Photo: Alê Torres / Staff Images Woman / CBF

The decision to consider the action merely reckless, and not violent, drew criticism due to the severity of the contact. During the TV Globo broadcast, referee commentator Paulo César de Oliveira assessed that the incident warranted the forward's expulsion and remarked that the VAR should have called the referee to review the play, which did not happen.

The episode also resonated on social media, with part of the Cruzeiro fans acknowledging that Byanca Brasil could have been sent off, while Corinthians supporters even called for a subsequent punishment for the player for the aggression against Érika.

Despite the controversy, the match ended 2-2 at Arena Independência, leaving the title decision open for the return match, scheduled for next Sunday at 10:30 AM at Neo Química Arena. In case of another draw, the decision will go to penalties.

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