Referee reports bust-up between Corinthians and Palmeiras after derby | OneFootball

Corinthians and Palmeiras drew 0-0 on Sunday night in a match valid for the 11th round of the Brazilian Championship at Neo Química Arena. After the final whistle, however, tensions flared off the pitch, with a confrontation involving members of both teams in the access area to the locker rooms. The incident was recorded in the match report by referee Flávio Rodrigues de Souza.

“At the end of the match, already in the locker room, we were informed by the match delegate, Mr. Rogério Menezes Lopes, that, at the moment when the doping control team tried to access the room designated for the procedure, accompanied by Palmeiras player Mr. Luighi Hanri Sousa Santos, there was a shove by a member of the Corinthians security staff. No assault on players from either team was witnessed”, he initially reported.

Photo: Alexandre Schneider/Getty Images

“According to the report, the aforementioned security guard shoved the player while trying to prevent him from passing toward the doping control room. The action sparked a general commotion involving security personnel from both teams. The delegate reports that the disturbance was brought under control by representatives of both teams, Mr. Anderson Barros (football director) from Palmeiras, and coach Fernando Diniz from Corinthians, together with the match delegate himself”, he added.

After the derby, the two clubs exchanged accusations over possible assaults involving security personnel. On the Corinthians side, players Gabriel Paulista and Breno Bidon were allegedly struck, while Palmeiras cited forward Luighi. Both clubs released official statements and indicated the possibility of filing a complaint with the stadium’s Special Criminal Court (Jecrim), although so far only the rival team’s player has formally filed a complaint.

If the incident moves forward, it could have consequences in different spheres. On the criminal side, there will be an investigation with evidence collection and forensic examinations. In the sporting sphere, the Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD) may open proceedings and apply sanctions. In the civil sphere, Corinthians may be held liable, since the incident allegedly took place in an area under its management, as provided for by legislation on employer liability.

Delegate César Saad, responsible for Jecrim, commented on the initial progress of the inquiry. After hearing representatives from both sides, he explained how the case is being analyzed.

“We were called here at the end of the match because there was a disturbance in the mixed zone. First, an argument between the players, and we are now requesting the footage from Corinthians so that we can determine what in fact happened. What was brought to us here is that there was an argument that started with the players and that other members of the clubs’ coaching staffs and security personnel may have become involved. Now we are investigating and analyzing the footage so we can truly understand what happened, but everything indicates that it was a post-match argument that began with the players”, he said.

“We are still analyzing all the footage so that, if the (Corinthians) players decide they want to proceed, if the club advises them to do so, if they believe they were victims. We have also already received some statements saying that it was nothing more than a heated argument, some pushing and shoving, normal for a derby like this. That is why we are still waiting to speak with the clubs’ legal departments and with the players”, he added.

On the field, the match was also marked by tension, with several arguments, three yellow cards, and two red cards for Corinthians, involving André Luiz and Matheuzinho. Even with the opponent’s numerical advantage, the score remained level.

So far, the case is initially being treated as an episode of “pushing and shoving,” while authorities analyze new footage. Those involved will undergo forensic examinations. The delegate also indicated that forward Luighi intends to formally file a complaint against a member of the Corinthians coaching staff.

“We have already spoken with the players. There is some partial footage, recorded on cell phones in the mixed zone, that shows this pushing and shoving. Therefore, at this moment, we are analyzing the footage to individualize each person’s conduct and be able to understand what in fact happened. Everyone here at the police station will undergo a forensic examination. Actually, the issue is that the Palmeiras player wants to press charges against the Corinthians employee, against the member of the coaching staff, whom he claims slapped him. That is why he is already here. It would be a member of the Corinthians coaching staff”, he concluded.

Meanwhile, the squad led by Fernando Diniz is turning its attention to the rest of the season. The next match will be in the Libertadores, against Independiente Santa Fe of Colombia, on Wednesday at 9:30 p.m., once again at Neo Química Arena.

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