Matchday 1 of the 2024 Brasileirão was marked by controversy, with questionable refereeing that caused outrage among the players, coaches, and club’s executives. That’s why the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) decided to sideline three referees who officiated in the opening round of the season:
- Yuri Elino (Corinthians 0-0 Atlético Mineiro)
- Flávio Rodrigues de Souza (Vasco da Gama 2-1 Grêmio)
- André Luiz Skettino (Atlético Goianiense 1-2 Flamengo)
All three will be out for an indefinite period, during which they will undergo training before returning to officiate in the Serie C (Brazil’s third tier).
⚠️ CBF afasta 3 árbitros após a 1ª rodada do Brasileirão:
– Yuri Elino (Corinthians 0x0 Atlético-MG)
– Flávio Rodrigues de Souza (Vasco 2×1 Grêmio)
– André Luiz Skettino (Atlético-GO 1×2 Flamengo)O trio vai passar por um período de treinamentos e depois volta para a Série C.… pic.twitter.com/Nfpl9niO3K
— Planeta do Futebol 🌎 (@futebol_info) April 16, 2024
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Three controversial matches
The matches in question were the ones that sparked the most debate due to questionable refereeing decisions last weekend. Elino was heavily criticized for his behavior at the Neo Química Arena, as both Timao and Galo had reasons to complain.
After the match, Atlético Mineiro issued a strong statement against the refereeing: “The biggest league in the country cannot have refereeing like the one seen in our match this Sunday. Atlético demands a referee who follows the guidelines presented by the Brasileirão refereeing commission and a VAR that intervenes in obviously violent plays. The club will file a formal complaint to the CBF this week. Brazilian football needs more respect and preparation from its referees.”
🚨 INACREDITÁVEL: PÊNALTI NÃO MARCADO PARA O GALO?
Fagner pisou no Guilherme Arana dentro da área e sequer foi visto pelo VAR, um possível pênalti a favor do #Galo, além da forte entrada do lateral em cima do meia Zaracho que poderia ocasionar a expulsão do jogador corinthiano.… pic.twitter.com/Z1tkEK32k2
— Beto Guerra (@oBetoGuerra) April 14, 2024
Vasco’s victory over Grêmio also had controversy, as the Belo Horizonte outfit felt harmed by Rodrigues de Souza, whose performance was described as “a disgrace” by Antônio Brum, vice president of football for the Tricolor Gaúcho.
But the refereeing was even more questioned in Flamengo’s victory over Atlético Goianiense, as Luiz Skettino awarded an unbelievable penalty in favor of Mengao at the end of the match even after reviewing the play in VAR.
PENALTI MARCADO PRO FLAMENGO!!
Arbitro foi pro VAR, deu penalti e deu vermelho direto pro Maguinho.
O que acharam? pic.twitter.com/OzNeiiC4Xi
— Diário de Torcedor (@DiarioGols) April 14, 2024
“About refereeing, a large part of it is a disgrace, it’s a mafia. They step onto the field to manipulate results. I live football 24 hours a day and win everything with sweat and hard work. I have a team that has no debts, that is balanced. Making serious football is very difficult. Flamengo doesn’t need that, it’s a great club and has a lot of quality. Atlético Goianiense played on equal terms,” said Atlético-GO president Adson Batista.
Documentary about Zagallo is released
Sambafoot Series has launched a new documentary about the football legend Zagallo. Known as ‘Velho Lobo’ and as superstitious as it gets, Zagallo helped shape what Brazilian football is nowadays – as a player and as a coach. The first episode is available in Sambafoot’s Youtube channel and the series will receive weekly releases to tell this legend’s life story.
