Diniz cleared by STJD after row in Corinthians v Athletico-PR | OneFootball

Coach Fernando Diniz was acquitted by the Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD) after being reported for slapping the hand of Athletico-PR defensive midfielder Jadson during the scoreless draw between the teams on the night of last Thursday (30) at Neo Química Arena, in the 21st round of the 2026 Brazilian Championship.

The incident began after a play involving Timão right-back Matheuzinho and Athletico-PR center-back Benavídez. The opposing team’s midfielder approached the technical area to calm down the Corinthians coach, who ended up slapping the Paraná team player’s hand. The match referee, Paulo César Zanovelli, recorded the act in the official report and cautioned Diniz with a yellow card.

Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

Fernando Diniz was charged under Article 250 of the CBJD (Brazilian Code of Sports Justice), which concerns committing unfair or hostile acts and carries a possible suspension of one to three matches for players and coaching staff. The hearing took place this Tuesday (04) and was resolved in just five minutes.

Auditor Dr. Ana Luiza Oliveira Ralil voted to acquit the Corinthians coach, and the decision was unanimously upheld by the full STJD panel. While reading her vote, the auditor explained that Diniz had been charged under Article 250 of the CBJD due to the alleged aggression against the Furacão player, but emphasized that the coach had already been cautioned with a yellow card by the match referee as a result of the incident in question.

In the auditor’s assessment, any new disciplinary sanction for the incident should be analyzed carefully in order to avoid double punishment for the same fact. Furthermore, it was understood that it was not proven that the black-and-white coach’s attitude was unfair, hostile, or put the opponent’s physical integrity at risk. According to the vote, the coach’s intention was only to move Jadson away during the commotion, thus deeming the complaint unfounded.

Corinthians’ lawyer, Dr. Sérgio Engelberg, did not need to make an oral argument and therefore merely followed the auditor’s understanding of the case. As a result, Fernando Diniz is cleared to remain on the touchline for the team’s upcoming matches.

Trajectory

Signed in the first week of April to replace Dorival Jr., Fernando Diniz has since recorded 10 wins, seven draws, and four defeats in 21 matches — 25 goals scored and 16 conceded. Since his arrival, Corinthians have left the Brazilian Championship relegation zone and moved into the upper half of the national competition table — he took over the team in the 11th round and they are now ninth with 29 points — seven wins, eight draws, and six defeats — 22 goals scored and 20 conceded.

In the last five rounds of the tournament, there have been three wins and two draws. In addition, Timão secured a place in the Copa do Brasil round of 16 by eliminating Barra-SC and qualified for the Libertadores knockout stage as leaders of their group — 11 points — eight goals scored and five conceded.

Eyes on the Copa do Brasil

This week, the Brasileirão gives way to the excitement of the Copa do Brasil round of 16. Last Sunday (02), Corinthians were beaten 2-0 by Internacional in the first leg, played at Beira-Rio. Now, next Thursday (06), Timão will take the field against Colorado in the return leg, eyeing a place in the quarterfinals of the tournament. In front of the Fiel Torcida, Alvinegro need to win by at least a two-goal margin to take the decision to a penalty shootout.

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