Clube de Regatas do Flamengo publicly responds to the note published by the National Basketball League with criticisms that we consider unjustified, out of proportion and a regrettable lack of education in relation to the decisions taken jointly by the Management Board and the Vice-Presidency of Olympic Sports of CR Flamengo.

CR Flamengo considers that the aforementioned note is offensive to the club and especially rude to our Vice President of Olympic Sports, Alexandre Póvoa, who in his notes only reflects the opinion widely discussed on the Board of Directors of CR Flamengo, having complete autonomy to express it. So much so that he signed both official communications from the club regarding the penalties imposed on Flamengo for not playing the game against Pinheiros, always written with pertinent and balanced criticism, including acknowledging the importance of the National Basketball League for the transformation of the sport. This stance is completely different from that of the LNB, which published a note on its official website, strangely apocryphal. 

It seems that, by adopting the tactic of intentionally focusing criticism on one person, the LNB believes it will succeed in its goal of dividing Flamengo's board of directors and fans, and confusing public opinion. It will not succeed in this endeavor.

The National Basketball League's statement cleverly tells a long story about Flamengo's responsibility for the events, but simply omits the information that it was the organization itself that scheduled several games for a stadium that lacked the proper authorizations to host them. It's clear that the National Basketball League is attempting to evade its basic responsibility of requiring reports from all stadiums before the start of the championship, which violates the Fan Statute.

As requests made by CR Flamengo to the League's Board of Directors regarding the matter were not even put on the agenda. Subsequently, the LNB refused to provide information requested by CR Flamengo, a founder, member of the Board of Directors, and participant of the League, under the unacceptable claim that it "is not statutorily obligated to do so."

In fact, the LNB doesn't just owe our club an answer to the following question: do the stadiums where NBB matches are played, attended by thousands of people, have the necessary clearance certificates? There are two simple answers: yes or no. How difficult is it to answer and provide the STJD with this information?

Through its statement, the LNB once again attempts to conceal its omission and the unequal treatment accorded to the various clubs. It suffices to cite the CBJD article under which Flamengo was denounced and framed in the STJD trial – Article 211: "Failure to maintain the venue designated for the event with the necessary infrastructure to ensure full security and safety for its holding." Furthermore, the League's own regulations (which were the basis for the complaint against Flamengo) state: Article 5.1. – y. "The playing field must be cleared, clean, in good condition, and organized at least 60 minutes before the scheduled match time. For matches broadcast on TV or online, this deadline is increased to 120 minutes before the match kickoff."

Based on these two very clear articles, it seems strange that the National Basketball League considers it fair to denounce one member and not the other. It's worth remembering that on November 6, 2014, the NBB7 match between Bauru and Basquete Cearense had to be postponed and played the following day due to serious leaks in the "Panela de Pressão" gymnasium.

In fact, the LNB's position in defending so emphatically that the STJD treats clubs as equals is very curious, when the entity itself does not do so when making its complaints.

CR Flamengo reaffirms that the club received the biggest penalty in the history of the LNB and challenges the entity to show when a club received a punishment greater than a WO in any of its editions.

CR Flamengo reinforces that it considers the penalty applied disproportionate in the matter of the cancellation of the Pinheiros game (especially for a first-time offender and with enormous services provided to Brazilian basketball – which, in any court in the world, unlike the demagogic presumption of the LNB about treating clubs equally – is an extenuating circumstance).

CR Flamengo deeply regrets the LNB's bizarre concept of "lack of competence," attributed to our vice-president. Especially considering the fact that we've won absolutely everything in the last two years – CR Flamengo is a ten-time Carioca Champion, a LDB Champion, a two-time NBB Champion, a League of the Americas Champion, and a World Champion. Not to mention, we were the first South American team invited to play in the NBA preseason.

CR Flamengo, in addition to being a founder, is fully aware of its role in the significant growth of the National Basketball League, which is transforming the sport in Brazil. Indeed, we are fully aware of the strength and importance of our 40 million fans in consolidating this change. However, in the purest democratic spirit, it does not relinquish its right to criticize any decisions whenever it feels disadvantaged.

We continue to hope that common sense will prevail and that basketball matches and competitions will be decided on the court, without any outside interference.

Eduardo Bandeira de Mello