Palmeiras could miss 12 for Chapecoense as Abel criticises schedule | OneFootball

Palmeiras could be without up to 12 players against Chapecoense on Sunday, 16:00 Brasília time, their final match before the World Cup pause. Coach Abel Ferreira has condemned the timing of the 18th round as an unprecedented error.

According to Globo.com, six absences are already set: Carlos Miguel, Giay and Andreas Pereira are suspended, Benedetti and Vitor Roque are injured, and Piquerez is still recovering. A further six could miss out through national team call-ups.

Those called up must be released after Thursday’s 4-1 win over Junior Barranquilla, which confirmed Palmeiras in the Libertadores last 16. Palmeiras and Flamengo sought to postpone this weekend’s fixtures until after the tournament, but the CBF rejected the request.

Ferreira said clubs and the CBF agreed last October that releases would start on 1 June, only for FIFA to seek 25 May. UEFA cited its Champions League, Europa League and Conference League commitments, and, along with CONMEBOL, asked for releases after the final Libertadores group game. He added that the CBF is part of CONMEBOL and argued Brazilian football erred, saying it is not fair that teams with call-ups cannot use them.

Palmeiras lead the Brasileirão on 38 points. Chapecoense are bottom with nine. There is hope of Bruno Fuchs returning, with the defender in transition from physical to technical work and potentially fit to play.

Source: Globo.com