CBF appoints controversial referee for Vasco match | OneFootball

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) surprised everyone by announcing, this Monday (22), the appointment of João Vitor Gobi, a referee from São Paulo, to officiate the match between Vasco and Bahia, valid for the 16th round of the Brazilian Championship. The match will be played this Wednesday at São Januário, and has already taken on decisive contours for both clubs.

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Photo: Cesar Greco/Palmeiras

Crucial match for both sides

The duel is treated as a true final for the teams. Vasco seeks to regain victory in front of its fans to move away from the relegation zone and gain momentum in the championship. Meanwhile, Bahia, buoyed by recent results, intends to score points away from home to consolidate its position in the middle of the table and even dream of greater objectives.

The expected technical balance on the field further increases the importance of the refereeing, which will be constantly observed throughout the 90 minutes.

Refereeing under suspicion

The choice of João Vitor Gobi was not well received by part of Vasco's fans. The referee has been involved in matches marked by controversial decisions, which raises concerns about the unfolding of the game at São Januário.

Although considered a rising professional by the CBF's refereeing committee, Gobi has accumulated criticism in previous Serie A club matches, especially for awarding dubious penalties and handling video (VAR) incidents.

On social media, many Vasco fans expressed concern and even indignation with the appointment, demanding more care from the highest entity of Brazilian football in high-stakes matches.

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Vasco vs Bahia face off in Brasileirão 2025 / Eurasia Sport Images/GettyImages

Fans' expectations

The promise is of a full house at São Januário. Vasco fans understand the relevance of the match and are expected to attend in large numbers to support the team, which sees the game as decisive for the season's direction.

However, refereeing remains a sensitive point. The recent history of errors against Vasco still resonates among the fans, who expect fair conduct, without external interference or decisions that could compromise the result.

CBF's responsibility

With the choice of João Vitor Gobi, the CBF reinforces its confidence in a young referee but increases the pressure for the game to proceed without controversies. The entity had already been the target of criticism from managers and fans in different rounds of the Brasileirão, and this Wednesday's match is seen as a test of credibility.

The expectation is that the referee will have heightened attention, especially in area incidents, use of VAR, and discipline management on the field.

The clash between Vasco and Bahia promises strong emotions both on and off the field. While the players fight for three precious points in the Brasileirão, eyes will also be on the performance of João Vitor Gobi, whose refereeing will be under scrutiny from the fans and public opinion.

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