The Globe
New record in sight
Flamengo obtains a suspension of tickets and increases the charge against Atlético-PR by 50
Midfielder Ibson undergoes an ophthalmological examination in Gávea: the club decided to bring forward part of the athletes' evaluations to gain time in the 2008 pre-season
Carlos Eduardo Mansur
Flamengo will be able to count on its greatest ally in its final Brazilian Championship match at Maracanã. Yesterday, the president of the Superior Court of Justice (STJD), Rubens Approbato, granted a suspension of attendance to the club, which will now face Atlético-PR on November 25th in front of its fans. The match, which could give the red-and-black team an early spot in the 2008 Copa Libertadores, is expected to set another record attendance for the season, surpassing the 50-person attendance of last Sunday's match against Santos.
The match is part of a promotion with a food company, which is exclusively responsible for distributing tickets for the green and yellow stands. Flamengo is responsible for selling the remaining sections. The club has worked with the company to maintain the 81.844-ticket capacity for the match against Santos—the current Brazilian Championship record. Furthermore, Flamengo's vice president of football, Kléber Leite, reached an agreement last night with Rubens Lopes, president of the Rio de Janeiro Football Federation (FERJ). FERJ will make 50 tickets available for sale for its stands at the Maracanã stadium. This will set a new record of 81.894 tickets.
"I spoke with Rubinho and we created a new sales strategy. We're going to invite artists, famous Flamengo fans, who will buy these tickets," explains Kléber Leite.
STJD president Rubens Approbato explained the reasons behind granting the stay of execution. Having been punished in the first instance, Flamengo would have had to face Atlético-PR behind closed doors. The club appealed, and the case will now go to trial again. However, it will not be possible to rule on the appeal before the match.
"If punished in the appeal hearing, Flamengo will serve its sentence in the first match of 2008 in a CBF competition," Approbato explained. "There won't be time to judge the case until the 25th. This could cause irreparable damage to the club. And Flamengo's argument presents elements that could be favorable to it in the trial."
Victory also at the Club of Thirteen
Ticket sales begin today at 11 a.m. The following points of sale are available: Gávea, Laranjeiras, Caio Martins, General Severiano, RioSampa, Maracanã, and Loja Kappa in Barra da Tijuca. Tickets for the promotion (green and yellow stands) will only be available for exchange next Monday.
Victorious in the Superior Court of Justice (STJD), Flamengo is waging another behind-the-scenes battle. In a political crisis with the Clube dos Treze, Flamengo received a positive signal from the organization yesterday in its attempt to have its 1987 Brazilian title recognized. At a meeting held yesterday, the minutes of a 1997 assembly were presented, signed by all Clube dos Treze members, including Sport and São Paulo, requesting that the CBF recognize Flamengo, alongside the Pernambuco club, as the 1987 Brazilian champion.
At the time, Sport was admitted to the Clube dos Treze on the condition that it would agree to share its title with Flamengo. The minutes of the meeting, according to the organization's president, Fábio Koff, were sent to the CBF, which, however, did not acknowledge receipt of the document.
"We'll send a copy of the minutes back to the CBF. From then on, the decision is theirs," said Koff.
Shortly before, he had been re-elected at a meeting in which Flamengo, São Paulo, Botafogo and Atlético-PR, in dispute with the entity, were absent.
"We didn't want to legitimize Fábio Koff as president," said Márcio Braga, commenting on the potential impact of the dispute on the fight for the fifth title. "I don't think they (the Club of Thirteen) will separate things. So much so that it was Cruzeiro who requested today's (yesterday's) meeting. But based on the minutes, there's no discussion."
Márcio Braga believes he still has two more important cards: a 1988 decision from the STJD, and another from the now-defunct National Sports Council (CND), both favorable to Flamengo.
"I was an auditor, and the decision was made denying the crossover (of the green and yellow modules). Flamengo was losing 2-0, and in my vote, I asked if there was a schedule for the crossover, rules, or a match report for the Flamengo-Internacional match, in which both teams didn't play. There was nothing. So, there was no crossover. The CBF should have complied with its court's decision, but it didn't," says Mauro Ney Palmeiro, former president of Botafogo.
The crisis with Clube dos Treze could worsen. Flamengo will notify the governing body to refrain from negotiating any of its rights, including TV contracts. At a meeting scheduled for next week, the other dissenters may agree to Flamengo's decision.
Sports Journal
Joel can climb Maxi
Coach Joel Santana will have some difficulty in selecting Flamengo's midfield for the game against Atlético-PR, on Sunday, the 25th, at Maracanã.
Without Toró, suspended for his third yellow card, and Cristian, who cannot participate due to a clause in his loan contract that prevents him from facing his home club, Joel Santana is expected to field striker Maxi in Toró's place and defensive midfielder Léo Medeiros in Cristian's place.
If the changes are confirmed, Renato Augusto will return to playing as a midfielder, the position the great red-and-black nation prefers him to play. Léo Medeiros and Ibson would form the team's defensive midfield duo, and Maxi and Souza would once again play together up front.
Another option that coach Joel Santana has is to field midfielder Roger in Toró's position and Argentine Hugo Colace in Cristian's place, but this last option is very unlikely, as Colace has not yet demonstrated anything in training that qualifies him to start any match wearing Flamengo's starting jersey.
Chamber pays tribute to Flamengo
Mariana Land
Celebration day for Gávea: Diego Hipólyto, Victor Rosa, Adílio, Patrícia Amorim, Obina, Ricardo Prado and Duda, from basketball
Flamengo received a fitting tribute yesterday for its 112th anniversary. Councilwoman Patrícia Amorim, a former swimmer for the club, presided over a City Council meeting to commemorate the anniversary and the implementation of Law 7.400/2007, which established Flamengo Regatta Club Week.
The celebration ceremony was opened by the councilor, who was in front of the table composed of judge Siro Darlan, the club's deliberative president Walter D'Agostino, financial vice-president José Carlos Dias, former president and content director of JS Luis Augusto Veloso, former player Adílio and the current great idol of the team, Obina.
"Flamengo is what it is, having so much strength, because athletes like Patrícia, Obina, and Adílio built this beautiful history. Our passion for Flamengo is in our souls; it's 112 years of glory. It's a love story. The fans are this club's greatest asset," said Walter D'Agostino.
Athletes who represented the club at the Pan American Games, winning ten medals, were also honored last night. Swimmer Ricardo Prado, gymnasts Diego Hypolito, Victor Rosa, and Daniele Hypolito, and basketball player Marcelinho, represented by his brother Duda, also a member of the team, received medals of sporting merit for their performance at the Games.
To the delight of the fans and athletes in attendance, the councilwoman presented a motion to Adílio and Obina in support of and recognition for their fifth Brazilian Football Championship title. And at the end of the series of tributes, Walter D'Agostino was presented with a plaque commemorating the club's anniversary.
ISL and ISMM withdraw lawsuits against the club
Flamengo president Márcio Braga announced in an official statement yesterday on the club's official website that the Rubro-Negro obtained an important victory in court last week when ISL and ISMM, faced with the defense arguments presented by the Bastos-Tigre office, withdrew the action proposed against the club in the courts of the city of Zug in Switzerland.
In 2001, the club received US$80 million from the ISL and ISMM, but the companies demanded compensation for the US$62 million loss, as the other US$18 million was returned by the country's most popular club.
See some excerpts from the note below:
"The authors' withdrawal, while not excluding the remote possibility of new lawsuits, represents the solution to at least one of the club's serious problems. It is important to emphasize that this procedural victory was only possible thanks to the commitment and competence of our Attorney General, Dr. Adalberto Ribeiro, with special mention to Dr. Carolina Valles and Dr. Carlos Alberto Lemos Junior, as well as attorneys Heitor Bastos-Tigre, Roberto Hugo da Costa Lins, and Dennys Zimmermann."
Red and black blood
Shy midfielder Cristian shows that his connection with Gávea runs in the family
Thiago Bokel and Nathan de Lima
Former Atlético-PR player Cristian hopes to face his former club and reveals he even has relatives who support Flamengo.
Discreet and often even silent, defensive midfielder Cristian often goes unnoticed at Gávea. But behind his shyness lies a player with a wealth of stories to tell. Having been at Flamengo for four months, he only revealed yesterday that he already had a connection with the club before arriving at Gávea.
“My father-in-law, who I consider a real father, played for Flamengo, and was even world champion in 1981,” Cristian revealed, sparking great curiosity.
The player's relative is former left winger Baroninho, who was Tita's backup during the team's Copa Libertadores and Interclub World Cup triumphs that year. When Cristian was just starting out, the former player took him for a few trials at Bauru and later, when he was the Paulista youth coach, recommended his signing. Far from his family, Baroninho adopted Cristian as his own son. However, he didn't expect his protégé to deal him a severe blow.
"Camila, his daughter, was 12 at the time, two years younger than me. We started dating and he went crazy, even wanting to jump into a nearby river," the player confessed, laughing.
Paizão Lopes\ Besides Baroninho, Cristian is very grateful to another well-known professional in football. It was coach Antônio Lopes who recommended him to Flamengo when he was still at Atlético-PR. His former club, in fact, promises to give the midfielder a major headache.\ To transfer to Flamengo, the player had to sign an agreement that obligated him not to face his former team.\
"If I didn't do this, they wouldn't release me. But I'm sure Flamengo will be able to turn this situation around. If necessary, I'll go to Curitiba to discuss this with Mário Celso Petraglia (Atlético-PR's football powerhouse)," he threatened.
Being cleared to play would be a gift for Cristian's family. The match is scheduled for the 25th, and the day before, Beatriz, Cristian's daughter with Camila, will celebrate her first birthday. The midfielder's presence is crucial, as coach Joel will already be without Toró, suspended for his third yellow card.
Ronaldo Angelim is the ideal partner for Fábio Luciano
Overshadowed by the presence of Fábio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim rarely appears to the fans, but the player who arrived at Fla in 2006 is one of the secrets of coach Joel's defensive system, which has been enchanting everyone in the second round of this year's Brazilian Championship.
Boasting good marking ability and strength, despite being only 1,77'70" and weighing 2005kg, Angelim serves as a safety valve on the left side of the field when full-back Juan is marked. With beautiful passes and a strong will, the player has been trying to replicate at Flamengo the strong performances he had for Fortaleza in XNUMX, when he was considered the best fourth-choice defender in the Brazilian Championship.
Because Joel's team has been playing with three defenders, Angelim has had to directly mark the opposing team's right-wing striker in most matches. The player commented on the defense's strong form at the country's most popular club.
"The fit wasn't just with me and Fábio Luciano. Before, Rômulo and now Jaílton helped us a lot. But the midfield has changed too. Today's Flamengo is a unit, and that's thanks to Joel. Once you start winning, your morale rises, and dreams that once seemed impossible become reality," said the defender.
Regarding Flamengo's chance of competing in the second consecutive Libertadores, the defender is betting on a win and a draw in the next two games to secure the coveted spot.
"The moment is very calm now, as the Libertadores spot is very close. We need to get four more points to secure our spot without having to depend on others," added Ronaldo Angelim, who has been with the club since December 2008.
Party guaranteed at Maraca
The board of directors obtains a suspension order and the club expects a large crowd to oppose Atlético-PR.
Thiago Bokel and Nathan de Lima
Jair Motta
STJD allows Flamengo fans to once again show their numerical strength at Mario Filho
Flamengo fans can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Rubens Approbato, president of the Superior Court of Sports Justice, confirmed early last night that he had granted a stay of execution for the match against Atlético-PR. As a result, the penalty of playing behind closed doors, due to the can and mortar thrown at the refereeing team in the match against Grêmio, will only be served next year.
"I received the request for a stay of execution from Flamengo's lawyer, Michel Assef Filho, and decided to grant it based on the argument that there wouldn't be enough time to organize a match in just three days without violating the Fan Statute. The new trial is scheduled for the 29th of this month, and the sentence will be served in some national competition that Flamengo will participate in in 2008," said Approbato.
Michel Assef Filho spent the entire day yesterday in São Paulo trying to resolve the issue. As is becoming customary, he secured another victory this year. Previously, he managed to reduce striker Obina's sentence and spare Souza and coach Joel Santana from severe punishment.
"I just received the confirmation, I have it in my hands, Flamengo fans can breathe a sigh of relief, as they will be present at the Maracanã against Atlético-PR. I'm returning to Rio tomorrow (today) with the documentation," celebrated Michel Assef Filho.
With the arrival of the documents, Flamengo will restart sales for the game on the 25th. In addition to the 32.730 tickets destined for Nestlé's promotion, another four thousand had already been sold.
Fifth title under debate\ In addition to the lawyer, vice president of football Kleber Leite was also in São Paulo to try to resolve another important matter. Yesterday, the Clube dos 13 election was scheduled to take place, and the director, in addition to casting his vote, requested the right to have the 1987 Copa União title legitimized by the organization as the Brazilian Championship title of that year, thus guaranteeing the Rubro-Negro's fifth national title. In the opinion of Sport president Milton Bivar, the 1987 Brazilian title should be shared between the two teams to end the controversy over the trophy's fate.\
O Dia
Mengão fans will invade Maracanã
The club manages to suspend the ban that prevented fans from entering the Maracanã stadium for the match against Atlético-PR. A new red-and-black celebration is already being prepared.
Janir Junior
Rio - Maracanã is definitely Flamengo's home. Yesterday, in a turnaround considered unprecedented by the club's legal team, the president of the Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD), Rubens Approbato, granted a stay of proceedings in the lawsuit that had penalized the club with a R$10 fine and the loss of home-court privileges for one match. Thus, the match against Atlético-PR on the 25th at 18:10 PM at Maracanã, which could decide a spot in the Copa Libertadores, will be attended by the fans who have made such a difference in the Brazilian Championship. There is no longer the slightest possibility of this situation changing.
According to Michel Assef Filho, the lawyer handling the case, tickets will go back on sale starting today. Flamengo has already sold 36 tickets (32 to a food company and XNUMX to fans).
"The fans deserved this. The law sided with Flamengo. The case won't even be heard in the session on the 22nd. It's an extremely rare situation. The stay of execution we secured was a rare exception to the rule," Michel Assef Filho rejoiced.
And the spectacle the fans have been putting on at Brasileirão matches was used in the lawyer's appeal. Some parts of the text mention the fans: "We've had a fantastic number of fans, and there hasn't been any violence, transforming the championship into a great sporting spectacle." Assef then states that "at this end of the Championship, when there's a chance of a good finish, it wouldn't be fair to play without the presence of this immense mass of fans." Finally, he states that "Flamengo fans, who put on true spectacles at Maracanã, cannot be punished for alleged negligent conduct."
In addition to appealing to the fans, the lawyer also mentions that the club took all required measures to prevent and suppress any type of violence.
The behind-the-scenes work began as soon as Flamengo was denounced during the match against Grêmio on October 21, when a firecracker and a beer can (which struck the assistant) were thrown onto the field. Yesterday, Assef Filho went to São Paulo and managed to reverse the situation; from today on, the fans can chant even louder: "The Maraca is ours."
Detail-oriented and eager lawyer
Responsible for the turnaround that guaranteed fans a place in the decisive match against Atlético-PR, Michel Assef Filho is 30 years old and a master's student at Cândido Mendes University. He has been a member of Flamengo's legal team since 2005. According to Assef Filho, this was the case that required detailed work and generated anxiety. Yesterday, after the suspension was announced, he was praised even by the president of the Superior Court of Justice (STJD), Rubens Approbato.
PREVIOUS RELEASE TIME
Even before the suspension was announced, the players were certain they would have fans. And, to further heighten the sense of finality, Souza stated bluntly: "If we beat Atlético-PR, we'll be in the Libertadores. That's why we're excited and can't wait for the ball to roll."
Cristian, however, is at risk of being sidelined. An agreement with Atlético-PR, his former club, prevents him from playing. But he promises to do everything he can to change that. "The only thing I know how to do is play football. I didn't want to sign this document, but if I hadn't, I wouldn't have come to Gávea. I'll do everything I can to play," said the midfielder, who also showered praise on the Flamengo 'nation': "The Flamengo fans are unique, I've never seen anything like them in my life. They'll help us again."
Even with the gates open, fans are promising a party that will bring the city to a standstill. Flyers will be distributed downtown, proclaiming that "Maracanã is red and black" and urging fans to join. The idea of having a float outside the stadium is also being considered.
The Military Police are already studying the security plan for the game that will decide the club's future.
Sale at 7 stations
Attention Flamengo fans: tickets for the game will continue to be sold starting at 11 a.m. today. The exchange of promotional cans (for green and yellow seats) will begin on Monday. Tickets are expected to sell out throughout the day, as 36 of the 80.594 tickets on sale have already been purchased by fans and the company that has reached an agreement with the club.
The seven points of sale: Gávea (Flamengo), RioSampa (Nova Iguaçu), General Severiano (Botafogo headquarters), Caio Martins Stadium (Niterói), Laranjeiras (Fluminense headquarters), Kappa Store (Av. das Américas 4200) and ticket office 8 at Maracanã.
Prices are as follows: white bleachers — R$25, special chairs — R$100,00, regular chairs — R$15. Students who present the necessary documentation pay only half price.
STATUTE THAT HELPS
Besides appealing to the fans' passion, Michel Assef Filho used the Fan Statute to prevent the club from being tried in the Superior Court of Justice (STJD) session on the 22nd, thus confirming the match against Atlético-PR. This was because the club couldn't be sentenced three days before the game, as tickets would already be sold and the entire game plan, including policing at Maracanã and traffic control, was already set up.
HOLIDAY HELP CLUB
Within hours, Approbato read the appeal and granted the stay of execution. Below are some excerpts from his decision. Even the holidays helped the Rubro-Negro. "The rule is the absence of a stay of execution. Only in exceptional cases, in the presence of relevant elements, is it permitted to grant it"; "There is unequivocal proof that the club took all necessary precautions and precautions"; "the perpetrators of the throws were identified and presented to the police"; "the Court faces the inability to schedule the appeal hearing on the 22nd, as the occurrence of successive holidays will prevent the summons, subpoenas, and summons within the deadlines established by the CBJD. Since the match will be on the 25th, there will be no time to judge the appeal before it takes place. There would be no time to comply with the deadlines established in the Competition Regulations and the Fan Statute."
Club of 13 recognizes the Penta
Rio - It will be up to the CBF, which has always considered Sport as the 1987 champion, to decide which club—São Paulo or Flamengo—is the first five-time Brazilian champion. In a meeting held yesterday in São Paulo, the Club of 13 decided that Flamengo is the 1987 Brazilian champion, thus confirming the club's fifth Brazilian championship.
It was decided that the minutes of a meeting held in 1998, when Sport joined the organization, will be sent back to the CBF. The minutes state that the clubs proposed that, in order to join the C-13, Sport would have to recognize Flamengo as the 87 champion, a title that would be shared between the two, winners of that year's national tournaments (Copa União and Módulo Amarelo).
Flamengo's representative, Kléber Leite, was emphatic about this. "Everyone agrees that both teams are champions, including Sport," said Leite, who also downplayed the fact that the "Touça das Bolinhas," which would be awarded to the first five-time Brazilian champion, would be going to Morumbi Stadium: "That's the least of it. I want the CBF to recognize Flamengo as the '87 winners as well."
This recognition faces a legal challenge. Sport ultimately won the right in court to be recognized as the sole Brazilian champion of '87, including competing in the following year's Copa Libertadores, as explained by the president of the Recife club.
“Sport is on the side of legality, even though it recognized Flamengo as another champion, in a meeting of the Club of 13”, explained Milton Bivar.
Besides São Paulo, there's Vasco. President Eurico Miranda even got carried away defending Sport's title, even though he emphasized he has no preference for São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro as five-time champions: "For me, what matters is the court's decision. Officially, Flamengo is four-time champion and São Paulo is five-time champion, that's all."
Gamarra's action (R$7,2 million) puts Fla on alert and could make money disappear
Janir Junior
Rio de Janeiro - The news that Flamengo has received a Certificate of Non-Debt (CND) — thus unblocking shares totaling R$15 million held by Petrobras — is worth celebrating. Not only by current players, who admit the club still has some outstanding issues to resolve, but especially by some of the club's creditors.
The case that most concerns Flamengo's finance department at the moment is Gamarra. While several situations are being addressed, the Paraguayan defender's debt has raised red alert at Gávea. The debt—owed to Atlético de Madrid, from Spain, due to the player's signing—is R$7,2 million. The lawsuit is in advanced progress and entirely favorable to Gamarra.
In recent years, the club has struggled to settle debts owed to athletes, coaches, and former employees. Recently, Flamengo paid R$4 million to the PSP, a company that was supposed to provide security during the time Edmundo Santos Silva was president of the club, between 1999 and 2002, when he was impeached.
Game revenues and sponsorship fees have been garnished due to old debts. The finance department believes Petrobras' money isn't in as much danger. Flamengo dreams of millions, but knows that Gamarra, on the field and in debt, won't budge.
Payment on time. Really?
Striker Souza hopes that, with the quotas released, the players will have more peace of mind next season, as 2007 was marked by salary delays and failure to pay bonuses.
"We're already hearing that we'll have a good team and salaries paid on time. It's a relief for the players and their families to know that the pending issues will be resolved, that we'll finally be paid on time. This gives us peace of mind," said the striker.
Often, the revenue generated by the fans' presence at Maracanã helped alleviate the financial suffocation. "The fans trusted us and contributed in every way. Everyone was happy: the fans, with the victories; we, with the fans' presence and the revenue they provided," Souza added.
Recently, however, there were three income seizures, which ranged from R$200 to R$250.
Cristian begs to face Atlético Paranaense
Rio - Midfielder Cristian will not be able to face Atlético Paranaense on the 25th at Maracanã due to a contractual clause that prevents him from facing his former club. Just as happened in the first round match between the two teams at Arena da Baixada, the player will have to sit out just as he's enjoying his best moment with Flamengo. All he can do is beg the Furacão's management to release him to play.
"I wouldn't want to lose this game under any circumstances. It's unfair. I have the right to do what I know best and enjoy most. I'm in a terrible situation," said the athlete.
Unlike Cristian, defensive midfielder Claiton could be on the pitch. Claiton was swapped for Cristian, but he has no ties to the Gávea club.
Sports Gazette
President of the Superior Court of Justice (STJD) grants suspensive effect to Flamengo
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Even after being fined R$10 and losing home-field advantage for a match, Flamengo will be able to count on its fans for next Sunday's match against Atlético Paranaense. This is because the president of the Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD), Rubens Approbato, granted the club's request for a stay of execution on Tuesday. Flamengo was punished under article 213 of the CBJD (failure to take measures capable of preventing and suppressing disorder in its sports arena) due to a firecracker and a beer can being thrown onto the Maracanã pitch. The complaint was made during the game against Grêmio on October 21.
However, Fla's lawyer, Michel Assef Filho, argued that the Rio de Janeiro club took all possible measures, in addition to highlighting that SUDERJ is responsible for the sale of drinks inside the stadium in question.
In his report, Approbato considered that the decision to punish the team was not unanimous, in addition to considering valid the statement that Rubro-negro took measures to avoid confusion.
Another reason cited by the STJD president for granting the stay of execution was the difficulty in scheduling Flamengo's appeal due to the holidays. According to him, if the request were denied, the team would not have the chance to defend itself before the match against Furacão, scheduled for November 25th.
Flamengo authorized to receive sponsorship from Petrobras\ Gazeta Press\
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Besides its strong run in the Brazilian Championship, Flamengo has other reasons to celebrate. On Monday, the club received a Certificate of Non-Occupancy of Social Security (INSS) and FGTS (Fund Fund for Social Security) debts from the Treasury Attorney's Office. This allows the club to receive the Petrobras sponsorship payments that had been withheld for some time. According to the club's directors' calculations, the club should fill its coffers with approximately R$15 million. Overjoyed, president Márcio Braga dreams of even better days for Flamengo next year, when he intends to implement changes to its football structure. "We are emerging from the state of insolvency formally declared by the courts. Now we will professionalize Flamengo's football and will move towards creating the Sociedade Empresarial do Futebol (Football Business Association) in 2008," stated the president, who ruled out Wanderley Luxemburgo's candidacy to lead this association.
Flamengo's players were also thrilled with the news, as the Rio de Janeiro club still owes some bonus payments to the squad. "This gives more peace of mind not only to us players, but also to our families and those who need us. We hope they can resolve some outstanding issues so we can work even more peacefully," said forward Souza.
Another piece of good news for Flamengo behind the scenes came from the courts. Former partners of the club, ISL and ISMM, dropped their lawsuit against the Rio de Janeiro club in Swiss courts. If convicted, the Rio de Janeiro club could face losses of US$80 million.
Flamengo tries to change the agreement to have Cristian against Furacão\ Gazeta Press\
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - One of Flamengo's most important defensive players, midfielder Cristian could miss the Rio de Janeiro team's match against Atlético-PR on the 25th. However, this isn't due to a suspension or injury. The player risks missing due to a previously agreed-upon agreement between the two clubs. On loan from Furacão to Flamengo until the end of the year, Cristian reached an agreement not to face the Paraná team in this Brazilian Championship. The agreement was honored in the first round, but this time the midfielder hopes the situation can change.
"It was a deal I made when I left Atlético-PR, and I only accepted it because otherwise they wouldn't have let me come to Flamengo. But I'm happy here; Flamengo pays my salary, and I don't think it's fair to be left out. I'll do everything I can to be able to play. We're very close to achieving our goal of reaching the Libertadores, and I want to be on the field to help," said the Flamengo midfielder.
Despite the situation, Cristian said he is confident that his good relationship with Atlético-PR's directors can help him in this matter. "I get along well with everyone at Atlético-PR, including the president, and I think we will reach an agreement with them."
If they can't reach an agreement with Atlético-PR to release him for this match, Flamengo may seek another way to secure Cristian's starting spot. The Rio de Janeiro club has the option of depositing US$500 to permanently retain the player. In this case, Flamengo would no longer have any say in the midfielder's starting lineup.
The only definite absence for now is Toró, who received his third yellow card and will serve a suspension. Since Flamengo doesn't play again until the 25th, coach Joel Santana is in no rush to choose a replacement. Roger and Léo Medeiros emerge as the main options for the Flamengo midfield.
On Tuesday, Flamengo's players continued the medical and physical exams that began last Monday. The starters won't return to training with the ball until Thursday morning, when they train at the Vargem Grande training center.
PeléNet
Fla had an even better average attendance in the "Zico-Júnior Era"
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\
Flamengo's fans have been putting on a show in the Brazilian Championship. With an average attendance of 38.889 across their 19 games at Maracanã, including state derbies, they have eight of the top ten attendances in the competition, including the highest attendance achieved last Sunday in the 1-0 victory over Santos at Maracanã, in the 36th round of the competition.
Although Flamengo fans fill the stadiums, the team was more prestigious in the 80s
The massive presence of the red-blacks is seen as the main fuel for the team's surprising rise, which went from second-to-last to third place in the table, and today has 58 points, and is in the fight for a place in the 2008 Copa Libertadores.
However, despite the fans' spectacular performance this season, the numbers show that the red-and-blacks' presence in stadiums was once more intense. This was especially true during the five years in which the Gávea club won the Brazilian Championship (1980, 82, 83, 87, and 92), the so-called "Zico-Júnior Era."
In its first national title campaign, Flamengo drew a total of 905.563 fans to Maracanã across 13 games, a spectacular average attendance of 69.658. In the final against Atlético-MG (3-2), 154.355 fans were in attendance. In the 1982 title win, the overall attendance was 689.793 across 11 matches, an average of 62.435. The following year, 916.211 Flamengo fans attended the Mário Filho Stadium during the campaign, with 15 matches. The average attendance was 61.080. In the final, 155.253 fans saw the team defeat Santos (3-0) and win the third title, the largest attendance in Brazilian Championship history.
In 1987, when the team competed in and won the then-revolutionary and now-controversial Copa União, fan attendance dropped significantly but remained significant. By the end of the competition, attendance reached 47.610 for each match at the Maracanã. In total, 523.710 fans tuned in to watch Flamengo's 11 games in Rio de Janeiro.
In 1992, when Júnior led a young and talented team, no longer with Zico, to their fifth championship, the average attendance rose again, reaching 55.684 in 16 games. Throughout the team's history, 890.958 Flamengo fans attended the stadium. In their five campaigns, Flamengo played all their home games at Maracanã, including the derbies against their Rio rivals.
In 2007, the total attendance for the 19 matches played by Flamengo at Maracanã in the Brazilian Championship was 757.897, an average of 38.889 per match, including the classics. The two matches in which Flamengo was the home team outside of Rio during the Pan American Games are not included in the count: 27.675 fans paid for tickets to see the 2-1 loss to Paraná in Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, and 10.854 were at the stadium in Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, for the 3-1 victory over América, Rio Grande do Norte.
Another factor to consider is the increased television presence. Fans can now purchase pay-per-view packages, which is contributing to the decline in stadium attendance. During the club's first three championships in the 80s, games were rarely broadcast live on TV in the stadium.
Besides technological advancements, the Maracanã's shrinking stadium also contributes to the lower average attendance. Today, after repeated renovations, the stadium's capacity is around 80 paying spectators, almost half the size of Flamengo's "golden" era. The difference in quality between the teams is also worth highlighting. As a point of imbalance in this regard, nothing better than mentioning Zico, the greatest idol in the club's history.
STJD grants suspensive effect and Fla will have fans against Atlético-PR
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\
Flamengo will have the support of its fans for its match on the 25th, against Atlético-PR, at 18:10 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, for the 37th and penultimate round of the Brazilian Championship. The club, which was punished due to incidents in the game against Grêmio, obtained a suspension effect on Tuesday to play with the gates open.
The president of the Superior Court of Justice (STJD), Rubens Approbato, sent a fax authorizing the public to attend. Flamengo's lawyer, Michel Assef Filho, confirmed the information.
"The arguments presented by the club were accepted and the fans will be able to support Flamengo," said the lawyer, in an interview with UOL Esporte.
Earlier, in an official statement, Flamengo announced that the possible suspension would only be granted on Wednesday. According to the club, the president of the Superior Court of Justice (STJD) was still awaiting the original case records.
C13 calls for 'splitting' of '87 title; Sport mocks the measure
Alexandre Sinato\ In Sao Paulo\
The debate over the legitimacy of Flamengo's 1987 Brazilian title claim entered a new chapter this Tuesday. At a meeting held by the Club of 13 following Fábio Koff's re-election as president, the organization decided to once again take up the Gávea club's claim.
The Sphere Cup was created in 1971 and will be delivered to São Paulo this season.
Just as it claims to have done in 1997, when the topic was debated at another meeting, the Club of 13 will send a letter to the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) asking for the "division" of the 1987 title. That year, Sport was recognized by the CBF as champion to the detriment of Flamengo.
However, Sport, a member of the organization, disagrees with the request. "It's childish for the Club of 13 to do this. Even if the CBF wanted to, it couldn't recognize Flamengo's title, because in the 1987 championship, there were rules that allowed the two modules to cross, and Flamengo violated them," said Homero Lacerda, vice president of football for the Pernambuco team, president at the time.
Sport's director is relying primarily on the court ruling in favor of the club. The Rio de Janeiro club challenged the Pernambuco title in court, but lost. "It's a final judgment, there's no appeal. Our title was ratified by the CBF. If they now oppose this, it's a crime, and Ricardo Teixeira will go to jail. He'll only accept this request if he's crazy," Lacerda added.
The Club of 13's official position is the opposite. Celso Rodrigues, the organization's legal director, pointed to the forthcoming letter dividing the title as a means to end the controversy. However, he admits that it is up to the CBF to accept the claim, as the C13 can, at most, file an appeal.
"A decision from ten years ago that had been dormant was revived. Flamengo itself was not interested at the time in properly following up on the letter written in 1997. Now we hope to put an end to this controversy," commented Rodrigues.
Milton Bivar, currently president of Sport and present at this afternoon's assembly, also spoke out against the content of Flamengo's request. "There can't be two champions, only one. And that champion was Sport, recognized by the CBF, CONMEBOL, and FIFA," he argued.
The controversy surrounding the 1987 championship has intensified in recent weeks with São Paulo's early fifth title, which claims to be the only team to achieve this feat. Flamengo then began a series of complaints about receiving the sphere trophy, which was designed to be awarded definitively to the first three-time consecutive Brazilian champion or alternating five-time champion.
The Rio de Janeiro club has four titles recognized by the CBF, as the Copa União is not legitimized by the country's top soccer body. In 1987, the top clubs competed in the Green Module and later refused to participate in the crossover with the two best teams from the Yellow Module (Sport and Guarani), proposed by the CBF.
Sport then defeated Guarani, winning the Yellow Module, and was proclaimed Brazilian champion that year by the CBF. The CBF is still considering a date to award the spheres trophy, but it already knows that the recipient will be São Paulo.
Flamengo vs Atlético-PR confirmed for the 25th
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) released the correct schedule for the 37th and penultimate round of the Brazilian Championship on Tuesday. The match between Flamengo and Atlético-PR will be played on November 25th at 18:10 pm (Brasília time) at the Maracanã Stadium.
For now, the Rubro-Negro will not have fans in attendance for this match, as they were sentenced by the Superior Court of Justice (STJD) to lose their home-field advantage. The incident occurred during the 2-0 victory over Grêmio on October 21st, in the 32nd round of the Nacional Championship, at the same stadium.
On that occasion, a fan threw a full beer can and a firecracker at referee Sálvio Spinola Fagundes Filho, who reported the incident in the match report. Flamengo's defense has already appealed, and the appeal will be heard on the 22nd.
With 58 points, Flamengo sits in third place in the Brazilian Championship. If they defeat Atlético-PR, Flamengo can qualify for the Copa Libertadores with one round to spare. To do so, Cruzeiro, fourth with 57, simply needs to be defeated by Sporting on Sunday at 18:10 pm (Brasília time) at Ilha do Retiro.
BalloonSport
Fla will have fans against Atlético-PR
Club obtains suspensive effect with STJD and resumption of sales is authorized
Eduardo Peixoto
Flamengo fans are guaranteed a spot in the game against Atlético-PR on the 28th. Flamengo secured a suspension early Tuesday evening to play with open gates against Atlético-PR on November 25th. The club had been punished by the Superior Court of Justice (STJD) due to incidents in the game against Grêmio.
However, the red-black legal department appealed the decision and the president of the STJD, Rubens Approbato, sent a fax authorizing the public to attend.
- He congratulated the suspension of the suspension and authorized ticket sales - says Fla's lawyer, Michel Assef Filho.
Tickets will go on sale again at 11 a.m. this Wednesday. Flamengo had sold more than 36 tickets (32 to a food company and more than XNUMX to fans).
Earlier, Approbato told Michel Assef Filho that the trial on the 22nd will be postponed because, regardless of the result, there will not be enough time to organize the game against Atético-PR.
Club of 13 asks for division of 1987 title
The organization wants Fla and Sport to be champions. São Paulo criticizes. The CBF doesn't take a position.
The Ball Cup, the object of controversy
The Club of 13 has officially entered the controversy surrounding the fifth title. In a meeting held this Tuesday, the organization decided to ask the CBF to share the 1987 title between Flamengo and Sport, which would give the Rio de Janeiro club the official status of the first five-time Brazilian champion.
In recent days, controversy has grown over the issue due to São Paulo's title win and the CBF's plan to award the São Paulo club the "Troja das Bolinhas" (Sports Cup), which would be awarded to the first club to win the Brasileirão five times. The "Club of 13" wants the CBF to recognize Flamengo (champion of the 1987 green module) and Sport (champion of the yellow module) as champions.
The CBF press office reported that president Ricardo Teixeira will only comment on the matter when he officially receives the request from the Club of 13. Teixeira traveled to Zurich this Tuesday.
A few days ago, Virgílio Elísio, director of the CBF's Technical Department, said that Flamengo should have worried about the 1987 championship issue earlier. This Tuesday, he said he would not speak about the matter and that only Ricardo Teixeira could speak.
São Paulo, which is removed from the Club of 13, did not participate in the meeting and criticized the decision.
"This whole thing about giving the 1987 title to Flamengo is just an attempt to bring Flamengo closer to them and create tension between São Paulo and Flamengo. For us, five-time champions, it doesn't change anything. São Paulo is an independent club. In our view, the Club of 13 is an outdated model, and that's why we're not participating," says Marco Aurélio Cunha.
Bivar: 'I just don't want them to take our title away'
Sport's president doesn't get involved in the fight between Fla and São Paulo, but he stands his ground on 87
Klima Pessanha
Sport billboard honoring São Paulo as the only five-time champion
The meeting held this Tuesday by the Club of 13 dealt with, among other matters, putting the controversy surrounding the 87 Copa União up for discussion. At the request of Flamengo's vice-president of football, Kléber Leite, the organization will resend to the CBF the minutes of another meeting, held in 1997, as soon as Sport entered the C13.
Sport president Milton Bivar attended Tuesday's meeting and explained what the minutes stated. The Club of 13's intention is for the CBF to also recognize Flamengo as the 1987 champion.
"In 1997, when we joined the Club of 13, a meeting was held to defuse the controversy between Flamengo and Sport. Minutes were produced and sent to the CBF, in which it was decided that both clubs would be champions. However, the CBF has not yet commented. Flamengo wants these minutes sent again to try to get a response this time," says Bivar, who commented on the possibility of the Rio de Janeiro club also being considered the '87 champions.
"At no point was our '87 victory questioned in today's meeting. Sport is calm. I just don't want them to take our title away; we don't care what happens to the others. The problem (about the fight for the fifth title) is now between Flamengo and São Paulo," the director adds.
However, at Sport there is a voice completely against the possibility of Flamengo also being considered champion in 1987. Homero Lacerda, current vice president of football at Leão and president of the club in 87, says that the president of the CBF, Ricardo Teixeira, could even be arrested if this happens.
"With all due respect to the Club of 13, this attitude is childish. And what about ethics? Can Flamengo be considered champion? No! They didn't comply with the regulations. I don't even need to act before a decision is made. Declaring Flamengo the '87 champion would be a crime of disobedience. The Copa União is a final and binding measure; it becomes law. And the CBF has been notified of this. Ricardo Teixeira could go to jail," warns Homero.
Players undergo medical examinations
Rubro-negro takes advantage of the break and starts planning for the next season
The Gávea pitch was empty this Tuesday. Flamengo's players, divided into groups, underwent the first part of their medical exams for the upcoming season.
They underwent dental and ophthalmological evaluations. On Wednesday, the group continued with cardiology exams at a private clinic in Leblon.
According to doctor Serafim Borges, this stoppage in the Brazilian Championship was beneficial in advancing planning for 2008.
- Without a doubt, we will save a lot of time by doing these exams now - says the cardiologist.
The red-and-black team won't return to ball training until Thursday. On the day the club turns 112, the players will be training in the morning in Vargem Grande.
Throw
STJD allows fans to watch Fla vs Atlético-PR
Rubro-Negro Carioca obtains suspension of the Court's punishment
Flamengo obtained a stay of execution on Tuesday night from the Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD) and, as a result, fans will be able to attend the game against Atlético-PR on the 25th, at Maracanã.
The club was ordered last Friday to play one game behind closed doors due to incidents that occurred in the match against Grêmio, in which a mortar and a beer can were thrown onto the pitch.
Attorney Michel Asseff Filho, author of the appeal, received the news from the president of the STJD, Rubens Approbato, guaranteeing the presence of the public.
Club of 13 will suggest sharing the 87 title
The entity will send a document to the CBF showing that Sport agreed to share the title with Fla
The Club of 13 held a meeting this Tuesday in São Paulo to discuss the 1987 Copa União title, won by Sport in the Yellow category and Flamengo in the Green category. The organization will send a 1997 document to the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) suggesting that the title from ten years earlier be shared.
At the time, the Pernambuco club agreed to share the title with Flamengo if it remained linked to the Club of 13 from that point onwards. Club of 13 president Fábio Koff will have a meeting with CBF president Ricardo Teixeira, a date yet to be set (it depends on the directors' schedules) to discuss this 1987 matter, among other matters.
What could prevent the CBF from accepting this request is the fact that Sport has already been recognized as the sole champion that year by the ordinary courts. The Club of 13 and the CBF will try to determine whether this legal factor will prevent the proclamation of another club as champion.
Flamengo's vice president of football, Kléber Leite, made light of the controversial trophy and made a point of emphasizing that what Flamengo most wants is to be recognized as the 1987 Brazilian champion, especially due to the celebration that the red-black fans had in the final against Internacional, at Maracanã.
"What matters is being champion, not having the trophy. Flamengo doesn't care about having the trophy and has no problem sharing the title with Sport," he revealed.
It is worth remembering that there was already a document issued by Clube dos 13 in 1988 in which even São Paulo, through the signature of then director Juvenal Juvêncio (who is now president), recognized Flamengo as the champion of the previous year.
Fla can guarantee a spot in the next round
CBF confirms match against Atlético-PR for the 25th, at Maracanã
Flavio Trindade RIO DE JANEIRO
Third in the Brazilian Championship with 58 points, Flamengo can secure its coveted Copa Libertadores berth in the next round. To do so, the Rio de Janeiro team simply needs to beat Atlético-PR at the Maracanã stadium and Cruzeiro to lose to Sport at the Ilha do Retiro stadium.
On Tuesday, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) released the correct schedule for the 37th and penultimate round of the competition. While the Corinthians vs. Vasco and Goiás vs. Atlético-MG matches were postponed until the evening of the 28th, the match between Flamengo and Atlético-PR will actually be played on November 25th at 18:10 p.m. at Maracanã.
Flamengo in search of second place in the Brasileirão
After years of mocking rivals, Rubro-Negro wants to be runner-up
Flavio Trindade RIO DE JANEIRO
Brazilian football culture doesn't place much value on runner-up status. The runner-up in a championship is often classified as the loser, or simply the first of the bottom. Some fans prefer to see their teams in mid-table positions rather than second.
In Flamengo's recent history, the word "runner-up" has never been so stigmatized, especially when it comes to its biggest rival, Vasco. The two teams have met in five finals in the last nine years, with Flamengo winning each time, prompting the fans to chant to Vasco fans: "Runner-up again."
Vasco fans, in turn, enjoyed the red-blacks with two runner-up finishes in the Copa do Brasil, in 2003, against Cruzeiro, and especially in 2004, when Flamengo was defeated by underdog Santo André, in a packed Maracanã.
But this year, who would have guessed? Runner-up is the red-and-black team's goal, and such an achievement would be a source of great pride not only for the team but for the entire fan base. With São Paulo already champions, Santos, Flamengo, Cruzeiro, Fluminense, and Palmeiras are all vying for second place in this Brazilian Championship.
For Flamengo, it wouldn't be just any runner-up finish. After all, at the end of the first round, the Rio de Janeiro team was in the relegation zone and was considered a likely contender for relegation at the end of the competition. If they manage to reach second place, they would certainly be the most memorable and celebrated runner-up in Flamengo's history.
Currently occupying third place with 58 points, Flamengo needs to win its last two matches against Atlético-PR, at Maracanã, and Náutico, in Recife, and hope for a stumble from Santos, who face Paraná, in Curitiba, and host Fluminense, at Vila.
The red-black fans are waiting and can't wait to shout: "We're runners-up!"
Tests show that Ibson is physically well
Flamengo midfielder celebrates his 'young health'
Flamengo midfielder Ibson underwent a series of tests on Tuesday afternoon. The relieved player was pleased to learn that his health is as good as a young boy's.
"I went to the dentist, had an eye exam, and had my heart checked. It went well, fortunately, everything is fine," he says.
Ibson recalls that after some deaths from heart problems in football, routine exams became extremely necessary.
"After a few deaths in the sport, these tests have become routine. I believe they are important to prevent any problems," he concludes.
Léo Moura differentiates Flamengo's retrospectives
In 2005 and 2006, the club scored at least three points in the last two games
Fred Gomes
Leonardo Moura, a holdover from Flamengo's 2005 and 2006 Brazilian Championship campaigns, was indifferent to the fact that the Red-Blacks had earned at least three points in the six they played in the final rounds of the last two editions of the competition. It's worth noting that, if Joel's team wins one of its last two matches, it has a good chance of securing a spot in the Libertadores.
"These are different situations. Now, we're looking for a spot in the Libertadores, and I think a win will be enough to achieve that," he explains.
Regarding the possibility of the game between Flamengo and Atlético Paranaense being held behind closed doors, Léo Moura refuted it, showing himself to be anxious for the Nation's release:
"We depend on this support. This fan base has been an extra player, and we need it," he pleads.
For the cup, São Paulo fan says he is at peace with Fla
João Paulo de Jesus Lopes takes aim at the Club of 13
While there is a lot of fuss about the fifth championship trophy, involving Flamengo and São Paulo, the advisor to the presidency of São Paulo, João Paulo de Jesus Lopes, says that there is no bad blood between the two clubs.
São Paulo boasts of winning five Brazilian titles, while Flamengo also claims to be a five-time Brazilian champion and is demanding its own trophy. To put an end to the controversy, the Club of 13 has scheduled a meeting for Tuesday night. However, the two clubs involved will not participate.
"We have no problem with Flamengo; our relationship with them has always been good. We've already spoken with them, and it was agreed that each party must fight for what's theirs. The Clubs of 13 can't interfere in anything, and we (Flamengo and São Paulo) won't be attending the meeting," the director said Tuesday morning.
João Paulo even mocked the Club of 13's attempt.
"I don't know what this meeting is for if they can't dictate anything. It's like my neighbor deciding the color of my car; it doesn't make sense," he joked.
Cristian will miss Flamengo's match against Atlético-PR
Absence is not due to injury or suspension, but to a contractual clause
Supporter Cristian, one of those most moved by the victory over Santos last Sunday, now has two reasons to be apprehensive about the next match, against Atlético-PR, on the 25th. In addition to the punishment for the club, which will have to play the game at Maracanã behind closed doors, the athlete is prevented from playing in this duel, due to a clause in his loan contract with Flamengo, which prevents him from taking the field against Furacão, which holds his federation rights.
tv l! - I was left out of the first-round game. I wanted to play no matter what, because Flamengo is paying my salary. But the board of directors made an agreement at the time, and I shouldn't be able to take the field. I'll do everything I can to be there, but I think I'll definitely be left out. Every player wants to play, and I'm no different. My federation rights belong to Atlético-PR, but I hope they reach a new agreement because what I want most is to help Flamengo in this decisive stage of the championship," he says.