Record! Abel Ferreira cites Flamengo, ‘laments’ Palmeiras runner-up spot | OneFootball

After the return of the World Cup, the debate over refereeing once again took center stage in Brazilian football. And that is no coincidence. In recent years, a perception has become established among fans, football professionals, and a significant part of public opinion that one particular club has repeatedly benefited from refereeing decisions. This perception does not arise solely from sporting rivalry. It is also supported by numbers. A survey by Espião Estatístico, from ge, shows that, since the implementation of the VAR ranking in 2020 through the 2026 Brazilian Championship, Palmeiras has accumulated the highest number of decisions changed in its favor (65), the lowest number of decisions against it among the country’s main clubs (47), and the highest positive balance in Brazilian football (+18). It also leads in the total number of VAR interventions. The numbers from this edition of the Brasileirão point in the same direction. Palmeiras is the 5th team that needs to commit the most fouls to receive a yellow card (6.72 fouls per booking), while its opponents are among those who receive the most yellow and red cards when facing it. No single piece of data, taken alone, proves favoritism. But statistics accumulated over seven seasons help explain why this debate does not end and remains on the agenda of everyone involved with football. The behavior adopted on and off the pitch also deserves reflection. It has become frequent to see players and coaching staffs surrounding referees, complaining ostentatiously, and putting themselves in the position of victims even after obvious fouls or even a simple throw-in. A studied and coordinated action. It is important to acknowledge the investments made by the CBF and the progress promoted by the Refereeing Committee, with training, the release of VAR audio, and the implementation of new technologies. However, they are not the ones who enforce the rules that may ultimately decide matches. In the match between Vitória and Palmeiras, for example, the decisions were made by Alex Gomes Stefano, on the field, and Marco Aurélio Augusto Fazekas Ferreira, on VAR. It is the referees who interpret incidents, apply the rules, and make decisions capable of changing standings and influencing title races, qualification spots, and relegation battles. For that reason, they must also be held accountable when they make serious mistakes, when they are passive in the face of pressure even on throw-ins, and when they fail to curb systematic bad behavior, as the rules require. The World Cup recently showed the way; referees and players who were there, many of them playing in Brazil, acted there according to the ‘fair play’ rule, and they should do the same here. Brazilian football needs to go back to discussing the game more than the refereeing. That will only be possible when referees adopt clear criteria and stop rewarding teams that use pressure throughout the game as a strategy. The rules must be followed by everyone, including referees. Football is passion and a big business. That is why it needs credibility from those tasked with enforcing the rules of the game.”

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