Marcos Braz, from Flamengo, says, without evidence, that there is external interference in the VAR room, repeats indirect remarks to Textor and asks: ‘Is CBF kneeling to those who talk about inhalations? (sic)’

Football vice-president Flamengo, Marcos Braz made a statement to the press after the 1-1 draw with Red Bull Bragantinoin Bragança Paulista, this Saturday (4/5), increasing the tone of complaints against the arbitration at the beginning of Brasileirão-2024. The red-black leader echoed Bruno Spindel’s statements, hinting at the accusations made by John Textor, owner of SAF do Botafogo.

– We have to talk about arbitration. The way it has been conducted in the championship is worrying for all of us, not just Flamengo. In the first round, in a very controversial game, everyone was unanimous that the referee blew the whistle well, gave a penalty against Flamengo, and what happened to that referee? 120-day refrigerator. When you play well, when you get more things right than you miss, in the first round you send that message to everyone. Then, later, against Botafogo, a player put on a mask on the field in front of the referee, the referee, lax, didn’t even give a yellow card. It’s not an interpretation, it’s a rule. Subsequent play, the same player received a yellow card – said Braz, referring to last Sunday’s classic, won by Botafogo 2-0 at Maracanã.

– What is happening is appalling. It’s sad to see the referees, they are under a lot of pressure, their psychology makes it sad. I told the referees there that they should unite, take a stand in relation to the accusations that were made. It’s a joke what’s happening. In today’s game, they don’t even call VAR, to call the referee and then have him interpret. It’s a shame what’s happening – he repeated.

Marcos Braz also made a serious accusation, without presenting evidence, that there is external interference in the VAR room. He also made a mistake, when speaking of “inhalations” (aspiration of air) meaning “inclusions” (inferring, concluding).

– I want to understand if the one who hits the table the hardest, the one who fights the most, is the one taking the lead? Is the CBF kneeling to this? Who beats the table, who talks about very dangerous inhalations? So we have to see what we’re going to do, because then the championship won’t end well for anyone. If we understand that we have to talk and put pressure on, Flamengo will do it too. I don’t think this path is the right one, but it’s shameful! – continued.

– Whoever is in VAR is also under pressure. The dots, the interference that comes through the phones… And this interpretation has to be whoever is there. I’ll make a suggestion: you entered the VAR, you can’t have a cell phone inside, you can’t have any communication inside other than communication relevant to the success of the work – closed the hat.