The Football Referees Union of the State of Minas Gerais (SAMG) issued a statement this Wednesday (3) repudiating statements made by Atlético forward Hulk after the 2-2 draw against Cruzeiro on Sunday (30) at Arena MRV, in the first duel of the Minas Gerais Championship.
When leaving the field, Galo’s number 7 shot at referee Felipe Fernandes de Lima, who whistled the classic. The player complained about the criteria used by the whistle owner and questioned the yellow card he received. Afterwards, Hulk called Felipe Fernandes an “idiot”.
“In a press conference, after Saturday’s game (03/30/2024) between Atlético and Cruzeiro, the ‘Hulk’ called referee Felipe Fernandes de Lima a boçal, offending his honor and morals, considering that the term boçal is used to insult a person as IMBECIL, IGNORANT, ARROGANT. A fool demonstrates a person without intelligence and education in his actions”, highlighted SAMG in the statement.
Through social media, Felipe Fernandes de Lima said that “everyone knows who the whiners are”. In response to a compliment made by a follower, on Monday (1), for his performance in the classic, the referee said that he “applies the rule based on mutual respect”.
“SAMG strongly defends and believes in the good conduct, character and qualifications of its referees who undergo rigorous physical tests, presentation of documents and certificates, performance assessments among other requirements to practice the profession with excellence and high performance. Therefore, they present sufficient requirements to work in any football match in Minas Gerais, Brazil and other countries”, added the Union.
The entity also stated that arbitration “can no longer be used to transfer responsibilities or justify the club’s low performance after games, nor be a platform for players, coaches and managers to vent their frustrations”.
Hulk’s words to Felipe Fernandes de Lima, however, are not included in the summary of Saturday’s classic. Athletic It is cruise they will face each other again on Sunday (7), but at Mineirão, with the Celeste team in charge of the field. Galo must win to take the state title for the fifth time in a row; but on the other hand, a draw is enough for Raposa to lift the Mineiro cup again, which hasn’t happened since 2019.
Read the statement from the Football Referees Union of the State of Minas Gerais (SAMG) in full
“The Football Referees Union of the State of Minas Gerais (SAMG) comes out publicly to repudiate statements such as that of the Clube Atlético Mineiro player, Mr. Givanildo Vieira de Sousa “Hulk”.
In a press conference, after Saturday’s game (03/30/2024) between Atlético and Cruzeiro, the “Hulk” called referee Felipe Fernandes de Lima a boçal, offending his honor and morals, considering that the term boçal is used to call a person an IMBECILE, IGNORANT, ARROGANT person. A fool demonstrates a person without intelligence and education in their actions.
For information, the guidance that, at certain moments of the game, the referee should “turn his back and carry on with the game”, comes from competent refereeing commissions across Brazil. This even occurs in order to preserve athletes, as excessive complaints are subject to a yellow card.
SAMG strongly defends and believes in the good conduct, character and qualifications of its referees who undergo rigorous physical tests, presentation of documents and certificates, performance assessments among other requirements to practice the profession with excellence and high performance. Therefore, they present sufficient requirements to work at any football match in Minas Gerais, Brazil and other countries.
Arbitration can no longer be used to transfer responsibilities or justify the club’s low performance after games, nor can it be a platform for players, coaches and managers to vent their frustrations.
Offenses, Slander, Defamation, Injury, Racism no longer have a place in society today, much less in football, the most democratic sport in Brazil.”
