"You know how this works," says Abel on Bruno Henrique's hearing | OneFootball

After Palmeiras’ 1-0 defeat to Santos at Vila Belmiro, which took Verdão off the top of the Brasileirão, Abel Ferreira commented—albeit evasively—on the trial of Bruno Henrique, who was accused of match-fixing. He then fired back: “You know how this works.”

Although acquitted of Article 243-A of the CBJD, which deals with acting against sporting ethics to influence a match, the player was fined R$100,000 for violating Article 191. The STJD’s decision, seen as lenient by some fans, reverberated throughout the football community.

Abel avoided commenting directly on the ruling, but used his response to advocate that sport should be an example of conduct and values: “Football is in the DNA of people who live here in Brazil. You breathe football. I think football should be the ambassador of what is exemplary for our society. I am not anyone to judge what happened, that’s not my role. I just think football has to be the ambassador of values, respect, ethics, and education for present and future generations.”

The Portuguese coach emphasized that the essence of football should be about unity, despite rivalries: “Football is part of your blood and ours. As far as I’m concerned, I’ll do everything to make football better. We are rivals, not enemies. Football needs unity, and that’s what makes its magic: bringing together different social classes.”

Abel also reinforced that sport needs to serve as an ethical reference: “Football should be the ambassador of ethics, respect, competitiveness, and rivalry among all clubs. I see football as the ambassador of principles, values, ethics, and respect. That’s why I’m in football. I was very well received here in Brazil and I am very grateful to Brazilian football. As for the rest, I think you know how this works better than I do.”

With the defeat, Palmeiras remained at 68 points and finished the round in second place, three behind Flamengo. Verdão returns to the field next Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. (Brasília time) to face Vitória at Allianz Parque, for the 34th round of the Brazilian Championship.

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