Palmeiras feel huge pressure, protest as São Paulo duo avoid red cards | OneFootball

The classic match between São Paulo and Palmeiras, which ended with a comeback victory for the Verdão, 3-2, at Morumbis, continues to be a hot topic this Monday due to Tricolor's complaints against the refereeing decisions. Palmeiras criticized the “unprecedented pressure” exerted by their rival and other clubs and pointed out incidents in which Verdão would have been harmed.

The club claims that the pressure aims to instigate chaos to obtain future advantages, as well as to create narratives that devalue the work done at Palmeiras. The Verdão board defended the comeback against São Paulo, stating it was achieved with merit and effort, and responded to the criticism.

“It is far too convenient to credit an epic comeback—achieved through sweat and three goals scored in a span of 19 minutes—solely to a referee’s decision. Especially since there were also refereeing decisions unfavorable to Palmeiras, such as the non-expulsions of midfielder Bobadilla and defender Alan Franco, who elbowed striker Ramón Sosa in the face in an incident ignored by VAR—and by the hypocrites of the occasion,” the statement says.

São Paulo President Demands Action from CBF

The president of São Paulo, Julio Casares, made a statement and demanded that the CBF release the VAR audios from incidents the Tricolor considered irregular: a possible penalty by Allan on Tapia, an “elbow” and a “stamp” by Gustavo Gómez on Gonzalo Tapia, a “disproportionate tackle” by Raphael Veiga on Enzo, and a “high-footed stomp” by Andreas Pereira on Marcos Antonio.

See also: Understand why the CBF will not release the VAR audios from São Paulo vs Palmeiras

“It doesn’t smell right to me,” Flamengo director questions refereeing

José Boto, Flamengo’s football director, demanded a statement from the CBF regarding the refereeing of Ramon Abatti Abel, who also officiated Cruzeiro vs Flamengo in the 26th round. The director felt his club was harmed in the match that ended in a goalless draw.

“I’m not accusing anyone, but this doesn’t smell right to me. Some officiate one way for one team and another way for another,” said Boto.

Palmeiras Highlights Its Stance Amid Controversies and Calls Out STJD

In the statement, Palmeiras highlighted its stance of not publicly complaining about refereeing decisions, preferring institutional channels, and reinforced its support for the professionalization of referees. Additionally, it criticized the attitude of directors who, according to the statement, use “shouting” and “baseless accusations” to justify defeats. Finally, it called for action from the STJD against those who “cast unfounded suspicions on people and institutions.”

“It should be noted that, even when it feels wronged, the Palmeiras board rarely speaks publicly on the subject of refereeing, as it respects the appropriate forums for discussion and, above all, does not shift responsibility in adverse moments. This attitude, by the way, helps explain the success we have achieved over the past few years: we always look at ourselves and work without seeking subterfuge or building excuses for our defeats,” the club continued.

Palmeiras Cites Absences and Match During FIFA Date

Finally, Palmeiras mentioned the fact that it is the only title contender to play a match during the FIFA date. Verdão will take the field on Saturday to face Juventude, for the 12th round of the Brasileirão, at 7 p.m. (Brasília time), at Allianz Parque.

“Palmeiras, as is well known, is strongly in favor of the professionalization of referees and advocates for more investment in technology and training for the category, among other improvements. Our commitment to the development of Brazilian football is above any individual interest. For this reason, in fact, Palmeiras, among the Serie A title contenders, will be the only club to play during the current FIFA Date, even with the team extremely depleted due to players called up for their national teams,” the statement says.

Read Palmeiras’ Full Statement

“Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras views with concern the unprecedented pressure that some clubs have been exerting publicly, and also behind the scenes of Brazilian football, with the intention of instigating chaos, benefiting from it to coerce entities and individuals in pursuit of future advantages and creating narratives that attempt to tarnish the competent work carried out by our institution.

It is far too convenient to credit an epic comeback—achieved through sweat and three goals scored in a span of 19 minutes—solely to a referee’s decision. Especially since there were also refereeing decisions unfavorable to Palmeiras, such as the non-expulsions of midfielder Bobadilla and defender Alan Franco, who elbowed striker Ramón Sosa in the face in an incident ignored by VAR—and by the hypocrites of the occasion.

It should be noted that, even when it feels wronged, the Palmeiras board rarely speaks out publicly on the subject of refereeing, as it respects the appropriate forums for discussion and, above all, does not shift responsibility in adverse moments. This attitude, by the way, helps explain the success we have achieved over the past few years: we always look at ourselves and work without seeking subterfuge or building excuses for our defeats.

Palmeiras, as is well known, is strongly in favor of the professionalization of referees and advocates for more investment in technology and training for the category, among other improvements. Our commitment to the development of Brazilian football is above any individual interest. For this reason, in fact, Palmeiras, among the Serie A title contenders, will be the only club to play during the current FIFA Date, even with the team extremely depleted due to players called up for their national teams.

We understand that the collective growth of our industry requires sacrifices, a spirit of collaboration, and the end of the selfishness that, unfortunately, still guides the conduct of directors who sometimes resort to shouting, sometimes to baseless accusations to justify negative results. In this sense, we hope that the Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD) will be firm with those who, irresponsibly, cast unfounded suspicions on people and institutions“.

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