With irony regarding the loss of the title in 2023, Abrafut reacts to Botafogo’s request to remove Claus and Daiane and repudiates John Textor

After releasing an official note on its social networks, the Abrafut (Association of Football Referees of Brazil) issued a new statement repudiating the request of the Botafogo so that the CBF move away Raphael Claus It is Daiane Caroline Muniz dos Santos of the scales arbitration until the conclusion of the CPI on the Manipulation of Games and Sports Betting.

The association came out in defense of the two aforementioned arbitrators, who are in the CPI’s sights to be heard in a secret session – the requests for them to be invited will be voted on this Wednesday. Furthermore, Abrafut mocked John Textor and to Botafogo about the loss of the Brazilian title in 2023.

“It is worth remembering that the team that (Textor) leads had countless sporting opportunities to achieve its objectives, which included failures in the normal performance standards of professional athletes from his own team, situations that occur in the sporting and human sphere, after all , no one can be perfect all the time”, says the note, ironically about artificial intelligence.

Abrafut reiterated its support for the head of arbitration, Wilson Luiz Seneme, and the president of the CBF, Ednaldo Rodrigues, and again demanded that John Textor provide evidence.

Check out Abrafut’s statement, released by ‘UOL Esporte’:

In view of the publication of news involving the name of referee Raphael Claus and referee Daiane Muniz, both associated with this entity, ABRAFUT comes out publicly with the following considerations:

1. ABRAFUT is the entity that represents 492 (four hundred and ninety-two) referees from the CBF, being the only entity recognized by the CBF and the Superior Court of Sports Justice for Football (STJD), to represent referees;

2. The serious and repeated conclusions made by Mr. John Charles Textor, Director of SAF BOTAFOGO, which have been occurring since last year, involving the alleged existence of match-fixing in Brazilian football, have not yet been supported and corroborated by any evidence, whatever it was.

Even though the aforementioned director was summoned, by the Superior Football Sports Court, to hand over any type of document that could justify the serious conclusions and accusations made;

3. The aforementioned director continues to manipulate football lovers and the people who work in it, using the press to reiterate slogans, constantly calling into question the suitability of people who work honestly and honorably in football.

“It is worth remembering that the team he manages had countless sporting opportunities to achieve its objectives, which included failures in the normal performance standards of professional athletes on his own team, situations that occur in the sporting and human sphere, after all, no one can be perfect all the time. The human being is subject to involuntary and undesirable failures and mistakes, and should not therefore be suspected of a premeditated illicit act”;

4. By citing – without the slightest responsibility or proof, just based on personal opinion based on subjectivities – two of the most respected referees in Brazil, South America and the world, with vast international CVs, including men’s and women’s World Cups in several categories, dozens of finals, selected for the Paris Olympics (Daiane Muniz) and in the project for the 2026 World Cup (Raphael Claus), the aforementioned leader takes a stance completely contrary to what is expected of a person with minimal responsibility with the career of a professional and the unblemished history of a human being.

Both professionals are examples of dedication to refereeing, examples as human beings, they are professionals of the highest level, the capacity and seriousness with which they treat football serve as a reference for several generations of referees, in several countries.

5. ABRAFUT vehemently repudiates the statements made by the aforementioned director, and even repudiates the requests for suspension of both from their activities as referees, as there is nothing, it is reiterated, nothing, that discredits the conduct of the aforementioned professionals;

6. Regarding the roster of member Raphael Claus in the game Flamengo (RJ) x Botafogo (RJ), ABRAFUT shows that, according to the calendar of public hearings for appointments of referees of the CBF Arbitration Commission, informed on the CBF website, at on 04/20/2024 (Sunday) at 4:27 pm, the hearing for the designation of the aforementioned Botafogo team game was scheduled for 04/22/2024 (Monday) at 5 pm.

Thus, the appointment of the referee for the match on 04/28/2024, contested by the aforementioned director, occurred before the announcement of the conclusions involving both aforementioned associates;

7. ABRAFUT reiterates its support for the two professional examples of arbitration mentioned, reiterates its support for the President of the CBF Arbitration Commission, Mr Wilson Seneme, and its support for the president of the CBF, Mr Ednaldo Rodrigues Gomes.

8. He also expects the Brazilian authorities to demand that Mr. John Charles Textor present some proof of the serious accusations and conclusions repeatedly made, under penalty of being held accountable for this harmful and repeated conduct.