Raul Gustavo apologizes for pushing assistant in the game between Corinthians and Argentinos Jrs.: “I was wrong”

(Photo: Marcos Brindicci/AFP)

Defender Raul Gustavo apologized and admitted that he deserved to be sent off in the game between Corinthians and Argentinos Jrs., last Tuesday. The defender pushed one of the match assistants when he challenged an arbitration decision and was sent to the locker room immediately. Timão lost the duel 1-0, in Buenos Aires, in the 3rd round of the group stage of the Copa Sudamericana.

“I am aware that I made a mistake and ended up hurting my team in a match that was fundamental for Corinthians. At no point was my intention to attack him, I tried to get away from him but unfortunately I did it in the worst possible way and deserved expulsion”, commented Raul in his Instagram.

Due to his attitude against a match authority, Raul could be suspended for at least ten games in Conmebol competitions or for a specified period of four months. In the entity’s regulations, these are the possible punishments provided for anyone who “attacks or spits on any game official”.

The defender returned to Corinthians this year after a season on loan at Bahia. Revealed in the club’s youth categories, the defender gained space with António Oliveira due to the absence of Gustavo Henrique, who contracted dengue fever. In addition to the South American game, the team played in the 1-0 defeat to Red Bull Bragantino.

Raul Gustavo’s explosive temper is nothing new. Since his youth days, the player has shown behavior above the norm on some occasions, such as in the attack on goalkeeper Hugoin 2019.

In addition to Raul, other options for the Corinthians defense are Cacá and Caetano, who has not been listed. The expectation is that Gustavo Henrique will recover and be available again for the game against Fluminense, next Sunday, in the Brazilian Championship.

See Raul Gustavo’s full message:

“I would like to publicly recant myself after the incident that resulted in my expulsion from yesterday’s game. I am aware that I made a mistake and ended up hurting my team in a match that was fundamental for Corinthians. I apologize to my teammates, the coaching staff and all the fans, but especially to the match flag. At no point was my intention to attack him, I tried to get away from him but unfortunately I did it in the worst possible way and deserved expulsion. I will continue working and dedicating myself more every day to help the club in the best possible way, because it is the club that opened its doors for me and it is the club that I love so much.”

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