Abrafut refutes accusations from Flamengo and Felipe Melo: “Increasingly unfair scenario against arbitration” | brazilian series a

The script is repeated and the fifth round of the Brasileirão began, continuing the vicious circle of national football: the spotlight on refereeing decisions. If Saturday ended with criticism from Felipe Melo and Flamengo directors, Sunday began with a harsh response from Abrafut (Brazilian Football Referee Association), an entity aligned with the CBF and which represents the majority of Series A judges.

Marcos Braz and Bruno Spindel speak out after complaints against the refereeing of Bragantino x Flamengo

In a statement published on its social networks, Abrafut refutes accusations of interference in the 2-2 draws between Fluminense and Atlético-MG and the 1-1 draw in the Bragantino x Flamengo clash. The message went directly to Felipe Melo, who questioned the yellow card he received with the phrase “John Textor is right” and Bruno Spindel, red-black executive director, who made accusations of fraud and theft using Sportv’s microphones.

– What we at ABRAFUT are seeing is an increasingly unfair scenario against arbitration. Our referees are being used as a smoke cloud to cover teams’ responsibility for their players’ mistakes.

Abrafut revealed that it will file a notice of infraction asking for the punishment of both at the STJD (Superior Court of Sports Justice). For the entity, the clubs’ positions are linked to a transfer of responsibility for results not obtained on the field.

– It will be impossible to have quality football both for the members who work in this modality, as well as for the fans and spectators if all dissatisfaction is justified by unfair mistrust, disbelief, suspicion and incredulity towards the refereeing work.

Felipe Melo receives a yellow card for a harsh tackle and complains about Klaus: “Textor is right”

“Last Saturday, 05/04/24, after the match between Fluminense You’re right.” This phrase refers to several unfounded accusations coming from the owner of Botafogo, who has made a move leading to suspicion of match-fixing in Brazilian football.

Another accusation that cannot be passed is that of Flamengo director, Bruno Spindel. In the Bragantino x Flamengo game, she rebelled against the performance of referee Paulo Zanovelli saying that Flamengo is being harmed and that the arbitration will favor the club that accuses her of theft, fraud, assault, putting pressure on the referees and thus guaranteeing a favorable result to your team.

What we at ABRAFUT are seeing is an increasingly unfair scenario against arbitration. Our referees are being used as a smoke cloud to cover teams’ responsibility for their players’ mistakes. In order to place them as victims, they accuse and hold the arbitration responsible. However, they do not recognize that the failures of their players, as well as their behavior on the field and that of the teams’ technical committee, play a fundamental and essential role in the smooth running of the game.

It will be impossible to have quality football both for the members who work in this sport, as well as for the fans and spectators if all dissatisfaction is justified by unfair mistrust, disbelief, suspicion and incredulity towards the refereeing work.

ABRAFUT, in defense of its referees, will file a notice of infraction with the STJD”