The union of clubs still seems like a distant dream
Founded 20 years ago, Clube dos Treze is moving away from its goals, experiencing a political crisis and disputes over TV quotas
EURICO MIRANDA and Márcio Braga during a meeting of the Clube dos Treze, in 1987: the entity is experiencing a split
Carlos Eduardo Mansur
At the time of its founding in 1987, Clube dos Treze was the trade name for the Union of Great Brazilian Clubs. The members are no longer 13, but 20. And there is no union. Conceived to be the embryo of a league managed by the country's top clubs, its reality, 20 years later, shows that the objective has succumbed to competing interests.
Today, an opposition bloc, which includes Flamengo, Botafogo and São Paulo, is challenging the management of president Fábio Koff, who, reelected last Tuesday, will complete 15 years in office in 2010. Meanwhile, the political dispute for a larger share of the TV contract is generating alliances and conflicts.
"In fact, there was never any unity. What I do most is manage conflicts. The ones who complain are two or three clubs," Koff downplays.
In 1987, the CBF's declared financial inability to organize the Brazilian Championship gave rise to the Clube dos Treze and the Copa União. The only championship organized by the clubs, it ended in conflict with the CBF and disagreement over the champion.
"We brought in TV and advertisers to negotiate. It was a leap forward toward the league. But in 1988, the clubs gave in to pressure from the CBF, and the championship expanded from 16 to 24 clubs. That's when the project was lost," says João Henrique Areias, responsible for marketing at Clube dos Treze in 1987. "It's not the clubs' incompetence. It's just that they're still run by volunteers. Today, the organization is a forum for political disputes over TV money."
- Today, it is merely a transfer of funds - says Carlos Miguel Aidar, the entity's first president.
To receive their quotas, the clubs were placed in groups. Opponents question the criteria. Flamengo and Corinthians, the two largest fan bases in the country, are together with Vasco, São Paulo, and Palmeiras in the group that each receives R$21 million annually. Next comes Santos, with R$18,5 million. Grêmio, Internacional, Cruzeiro, Atlético-MG, Botafogo, and Fluminense receive R$18 million. Atlético-PR, Goiás, and Sport receive R$11 million. Even after being relegated, Bahia, Coritiba, Portuguesa, Vitória, and Guarani continue to receive quotas that fall each year, leaving them far from the top flight. Originally, they received R$11 million, an amount they recover upon their return to Serie A.
"The contract ties together all types of media, even new technologies like the internet and telephony. How much is that worth? The Club of Thirteen has never conducted a study, never explored new products that could emerge from the clubs' alliance," says Bebeto de Freitas, president of Botafogo. "Palmeiras is no bigger than Botafogo. A group gets together and declares that Vasco is equal to Flamengo. Due to the division of TV quotas, there are five Flamengos, five Corinthians in this country. There are more fans than the population. And no one knows the criteria."
Fábio Koff says that Informídia and TNS were hired to conduct market studies that, according to him, guide the division of quotas.
- We never saw the results - says Márcio Braga.
"It's absurd for him to say that. The committee that negotiated the TV contract was chaired by Flamengo in 2003. Hélio Ferraz was the president. What's more, Informídia sends reports to all the clubs. And Márcio Braga claims to be unaware of it," Koff asks.
Fla threatens to negotiate its rights separately
A percentage of the contract with TV pays the entire administrative structure of Clube dos Treze.
The opposition points to former Palmeiras president Mustafá Contursi's position as vice president of the Clube dos Treze until the administration that ended this week as a factor in Palmeiras' promotion to the top revenue bracket. During the administration that ended, Eurico Miranda was second vice president. He has now become first vice president.
- Of course this explains a lot, says Márcio Braga, president of Flamengo.
Curious cases involve clubs like Figueirense. Since 2002, in Serie A, it has received R$4 million, an amount allocated to elite clubs that are not part of the Clube dos Treze. This is less than what Bahia still receives in Serie C. Sport, which was promoted in 2007, receives R$11 million. The same amount received by Coritiba, Portuguesa, and Vitória in 2008, who are returning to the elite.
"It's a huge disparity. We don't receive a dime from pay-per-view, and our games are broadcast. We tried to talk to Fábio Koff about joining the Club of Thirteen. But there, the teams fight to increase their share. No one wants another member," says José Carlos Lages, president of Figueirense Participações.
- The clubs only fight for a slice of the pie, but they don't work with a corporate vision, to increase the pie - says Mauro Holzmann, marketing director of Atlético-PR and former executive of Clube dos Treze.
The Brazilian Club Union is divided even within the opposition. Flamengo, São Paulo, and Botafogo, with the support of Atlético-MG and Cruzeiro, wanted to create a Board of Directors, which would guide the policy, especially in negotiations with the TV network. The model, which would weaken Fábio Koff, was defeated. Opponents even absented themselves from the meeting where the bylaws were voted on. In last Tuesday's election, Cruzeiro and Atlético-MG voted for Koff.
Last week, São Paulo president Juvenal Juvêncio hinted at the possibility of the club negotiating its rights separately from Clube dos Treze. Flamengo, meanwhile, announced that it will officially disallow the entity from negotiating on its behalf.
- The three (Flamengo, Botafogo and São Paulo) play among themselves - says Koff.
In the new statute, Portuguesa, Atlético-PR, Vitória, Goiás, Guarani, Sport and Coritiba gained voting rights with the same weight as the other members, who are founders.
"Then they get together with the clubs in power and vote to reduce Flamengo's share," says Márcio Braga. "They don't take anything from Flamengo."
Fate puts Ney Franco back in Fla's path at the decisive moment
Former coach sees change in command as crucial for recovery
Photo caption: NEY FRANCO during the game against Corinthians, at Morumbi: a 2-2 draw cost him his dismissal
Simplicity has always been Ney Franco's hallmark. His style didn't change when he won the Copa do Brasil and the State Championship with Flamengo. Nor did it change when the team failed in the Libertadores and remained in the relegation zone of the Brazilian Championship. After being fired and seeing his former club make a spectacular comeback, the coach remains far from vanity and says the change in leadership was decisive for Flamengo's recovery.
Interestingly, Ney Franco will be Flamengo's opponent in the match on the 25th, which could crown the recovery that began shortly after his departure from Gávea. Coach of Atlético-PR, he also experienced a recovery process in Curitiba. Ney took over the club while it was 16th in the Brazilian league. He didn't reach as far as Flamengo, but he considers himself successful.
"Flamengo's reaction didn't surprise me. Joel Santana's work was excellent. Of course, after my departure, the team strengthened. They have Fábio Luciano, Maxi, and Ibson. But the coaching change was the key factor. Good for both sides. My arrival at Atlético-PR was good," said Ney Franco. "Flamengo deserves to qualify, and Joel deserves congratulations. He turned the group around."
Ney says he left a contribution for Joel
The former Flamengo coach sees it as an irony of fate that he'll cross the club's path in a decisive match. He's planning how to conduct himself at Maracanã.
"Fate has placed me on the opposite side of a game where Flamengo could secure a place in the Libertadores. Or, I could contribute to cutting this dream short. I have to disconnect from everything and focus on my work," said Ney.
Whether or not they beat Atlético-PR, if Flamengo confirms its place in the Libertadores, Ney Franco feels he will have helped. When he left, Flamengo had 12 points in the Brazilian Championship:
"When I left, we'd only played twice at Maracanã. We lost to Palmeiras, reeling from the trauma of being eliminated from the Libertadores, and drew with Botafogo, who were the league's best team. We earned important points away from Rio, against São Paulo, Atlético-MG, and Goiás. But Joel deserves the credit."
Renato Augusto, who had already been used by Celso Roth a year earlier, was launched as a starter by the coach in the 2006 Copa do Brasil finals.
"Of course I'll hug him. I like Ney, but I'll do everything to beat him," says the player, adding, "Joel gave the team a face."
Sports Journal
Renato warns: 'The priority is red-black'
Wanted by Flu, Renato could return to Gávea, as he will first hear the offer from his former club
Nathan de Lima and Tiago da Costa
Renato would like to return to Fla, but Flu is in the fight
The end of the Brazilian Championship is approaching, and Flamengo's chances of securing a spot in the Libertadores are growing stronger every day. One of the Rubro-Negra Nation's favorite reinforcements for next year is an old acquaintance: the midfielder Renato, who played for the club from 2005 until the end of this year's Carioca Championship, which the club won. With a lot of grit and a cannonball in his left leg, the player left a lasting impression among fans, a feeling that may be numbered. His return may be closer than expected.
When he left the country to play for Al Nasr, a Middle Eastern team, Renato made it clear that upon his return to Brazil, he would listen to Flamengo before making any offers. And as reported by JORNAL DOS SPORTS in yesterday's edition, Fluminense is very interested in the player. They even began talks with the athlete's agents long ago.
Yesterday afternoon, Flamengo's vice president of football, Kleber Leite, admitted to having an interest in Renato, which would bring him closer to Gávea. The director wasn't surprised by the interest from other clubs, but reiterated that the player's contract with Al Nasr only ends in May of next year.
"Of course Renato interests us. He had a great time here at the club and is a great player. As far as I know, he'll only be able to return in May, when his contract with the club ends, but if he can come at the beginning of the year, we'll talk to him too," said Kleber Leite.
The cradle
The midfielder's potential arrival would address a small shortcoming in the red-and-black squad. When he arrived at the club midway through the season, coach Joel Santana complained about the lack of a left-footed midfielder who could mark hard and reach the attack efficiently, as Ibson has been doing on the right. This year, Joel brought in young Toró to fill this role on the team, as Roger doesn't have a strong marking ability and Léo Medeiros hasn't yet established a solid starting lineup. Toró is right-footed but has been performing this role very well on the team.
It's worth remembering that Flamengo has already signed a big-name player for next year, the five-time world champion midfielder for Brazil, Kleberson, who, despite also being able to perform the role that Renato would, doesn't have the same characteristics.
Dom Joel Santana and his faithful squire: Ronaldo Torres
For everything he's done so far, Joel is today the greatest hero of the red-and-black nation. However, like any good hero, he has a faithful squire. Ronaldo Torres, a physical trainer who has been part of the coach's coaching staff for ten years, also spoke with JORNAL DOS SPORTS and revealed a little more about the folkloric figure that is Joel Santana.
"I've been working with Joel for 10 years. He met me at Botafogo in '97. He's a strategic coach, a friendly coach in every sense, on and off the field. I consider him a brother," said the fitness coach, before going on to tell stories about the time he worked with Joel in Japan.
According to him, during this period the two became closer and, for this reason, Ronaldo knows good stories about the coach.
"There was a time when we were just about to sleep together, back in Japan. At that time, training would end and I'd say, 'I'm going to make the boss's meal today, which was spaghetti with sausage.' For me, I'd bring picanha. So he'd eat his spaghetti and I'd eat mine. He'd even complain that I never ate his spaghetti. And every time I invited him over, when my wife, him, and his wife were having dinner, Joel would complain that there was no spaghetti with sausage," the fitness trainer revealed in a good-natured tone, before recalling another interesting episode from Japan.
"The funny thing is that I had a new car there and so did he. It turns out that his never left the garage, because he always went out with me. In the end, he even told the club directors that his car was almost brand new."
Ronaldo also took the opportunity to remember that the good moment Joel is experiencing is more than deserved.
"He's a person who needs friendships, he's everyone's friend. And he deserves everything that's happening. In fact, more than that, because he's a person who only has love in his heart."
More than a coach, a father to his players
It's no secret that Joel Santana is an easygoing, good-natured figure who easily captivates people. In this special moment Flamengo is going through, largely due to his arrival at the club, the players, at the request of JORNAL DOS SPORTS, paid a simple tribute to their manager, whom they, unanimously, said they consider a father figure.
One of the most powerful statements came from defender and team captain Fábio Luciano. Despite only recently meeting Joel Santana, the player admitted to renewing his contract with Flamengo because of the coach.
"It's a great pleasure to work with him. I didn't know him, I'd only heard about him. He's a very good person, who knows football well, especially the tactical side, and knows how to get the best out of each player. It's because of him that I decided to renew my contract, as I'm very pleased to work with Joel," said Fábio Luciano.
Another leader of the squad, goalkeeper Bruno, who was present during Flamengo's poor run in the championship, also heaped praise on the coach, even stating that the club's current position in the table is mainly due to him.
"Joel was fundamental in our journey. He gave us confidence, because he took over the team at the wrong time, accepted the challenge and ended up succeeding. He took responsibility at the right time and if today we have the possibility of securing a place in the Libertadores, we owe it to God and to him," said the goalkeeper.
Midfielder Cristian was one of those who highlighted Joel Santana's "fatherly" character. "He's a great father who's always concerned with helping everyone. We love him dearly. He came to Flamengo just to bring us joy," commented the player, who had his words confirmed by young defender Thiago Sales.
"He's a great father, he treats everyone equally, there's no difference between who's playing and who's not."
A career full of achievements from Rio de Janeiro to Saudi Arabia
Ursula Nery
Jornal dos Sports - What motivated you to become a coach? Joel Santana - It happened by chance. Because of my personality, they ended up putting me as coach on the team that was being formed at college. From that moment on, things developed, I became motivated, and today I see that I made the right choice. I'm very happy.
JS - How did your coaching career begin? Joel - In 1981, I had just finished college, and since Vasco's youth coach wasn't doing well, I ended up getting the opportunity to work there and became a champion. The following year, I went to the United Arab Emirates, where I also won a championship in the youth teams (under-17, under-19, and under-21). From there, things progressed gradually, and today I'm in the market.
JS - What are the greatest joys football has given you? Joel - All of them; passion is innumerable. There's only one pleasure: winning, working for great teams, and staying in the market for 25 years, which isn't easy for a professional. Especially for me, who was born in Rio and has worked for the city's four major clubs. Thinking about it, I get emotional remembering everything I've been through, of having made my goals something beyond what I ever dreamed of.
JS - And the biggest disappointments? Joel - Every time I lose a game or a title, I go crazy, sick. It's something that affects my heart, my ego. There's no special defeat; I always want to win as much as possible and lose as little as possible.
JS - You're being considered by many in the media as the best coach in this Brazilian Championship. Do you think this is a fair choice? Joel - It's a great thing for a professional who has the opportunity to work at a club the size of Flamengo, being given the task of managing a worn-out, unhappy team that was second to last and is now among the top four in Brazil. I don't know if it's fair, but this recognition is already a good boost for my ego.
JS - You've won titles at all four major Rio clubs, but Flamengo had a special impact. Which of your four stints here was the most memorable? Joel - They were all. I arrived in 1996 and won an undefeated title. In my second stint, I arrived after the team had been eliminated from the Copa do Brasil, coming off several defeats, and on my debut, Flamengo beat Botafogo 3-0. In 2005, with just nine games remaining in the championship, only four of which were at home, I managed to pull Flamengo out of the relegation zone. And now, in the same situation, I've put the team in contention for the Copa Libertadores. The word that sums it all up is affection.
JS - Who was your best coach? The one who taught you everything you know? Joel - Elba de Pádua Lima, a man named Tim. He wasn't a coach, but a strategist, because everyone is a coach, but being a strategist is difficult. He was my greatest mentor, because of what I learned from him, what I witnessed. I saw him win a championship by strategizing on a button board. He was a fantastic professional.
JS - And the best player you've ever worked with? Joel - To name just one would perhaps be unfair to the others, but I really identify with Baixinho, even because of our direct, positive way of being. My affection for him is the same as I have for a relative or even a son; I have great admiration for Romário.
JS - Of the current football coaches, who is your favorite? Joel - I'll list a few that I truly respect. The "five stars," as I like to say: Abel is in good form, as are Muricy and Vanderlei. Even with all those statements, I can't help but mention this; he's a solid guy. Paulo Autuori is also on that list. Maybe I forgot one or two, but these are the ones I consider the "five stars." I don't want to talk about Felipão, Parreira, and Velho Lobo Zagallo, because they are masters.
JS - Do you have any plans for next year, are they related to Flamengo? Joel - I haven't thought about that yet, so as not to lose focus. We're at a very important moment, not only in my career, but also in deciding the club's future. So, the financial aspect wouldn't be what's bothering me at the moment.
JS - What is the most memorable title of your career? Joel - All of them, a title is a title, they cannot be listed, because they all had a story, a pleasure and there is a special taste in achieving them.
JS - Do you still dream of coaching the Brazilian national team? Joel - At least wearing the Brazilian colors, contributing in any way, whether as a scout, assistant, or anything. Working with the national team is always a pleasure. You represent a people from a country where sports are the main factor, and I'd like to experience that.
JS - If you could choose between a statue in Gávea or immortalization on the Maracanã Walk of Fame, which would you choose? Joel - I prefer a third alternative. I think this bust is already in the hearts of the fans today. I've been receiving a lot of affection from a passionate, fantastic fan base that touches anyone's ego. I'm already there, in the fans' minds.
Joel Santana, the red-black wizard
A coach who embodies Rio de Janeiro and Flamengo. He possesses grit, passion, guile, and charisma to spare.
Léo Schabbach, Thiago Bokel and Nathan de Lima
Joel Santana has coached Rio's four major clubs, winning titles with them all. However, it was at Flamengo that he found a true legion of fans.
"Joel the Wizard Only Brings Joy" was the headline in the Jornal dos Sports on Flamengo's website on November 22, 2005. The edition extolled the "miracle" performed by Joel Santana in saving the club from relegation in the last nine rounds of the Brazilian Championship, with an incredible campaign of six wins and three draws. From that moment on, a very special relationship of affection and respect began between the fans and the coach.
In this year's Brazilian Championship, this feeling only intensified. At a time when Flamengo was facing a very difficult situation in the competition, unable to move out of the bottom positions, Joel Santana was called up to, once again, put the club back on its rightful place.
Almost four months later, Flamengo finds itself in excellent shape to secure a spot in the Copa Libertadores, something unthinkable in the early stages of the championship, and is enjoying a wonderful honeymoon with its fans. The man responsible for this good run? Joel Santana.
Red and black clothing
The coach, who began his career at Al Wasl in 1981, seems to have truly donned the red and black shirt, so much so that he admitted, in an exclusive interview with JORNAL DOS SPORTS, that he has a very special affection for Flamengo.
His first important title as a coach, however, was won against arch-rivals Vasco da Gama in 1992, a feat he repeated the following year, also managing the Cruzmaltino team.
In 95, 96, and 97, Joel won three consecutive editions of the Campeonato Carioca, coaching Fluminense, Flamengo, and Botafogo, respectively. Because of these achievements, he earned the affectionate nickname "King of Rio" and became one of the most renowned coaches in the country.
However, his coaching achievements were just beginning. In 2000, after a disagreement between Vasco's then-coach, Oswaldo de Oliveira, and Eurico Miranda, Joel Santana took over the São Januário team and won not only the Mercosul Cup but also the João Havelange Cup, the Brazilian Championship of that year, in a final against São Caetano played in early 2001.
A Baiano at heart\ In addition to the titles with Rio de Janeiro clubs, the coach also won the 1994 and 99 Bahia Championships with Bahia and the 2002 Bahia Championship with Vitória.\
In recent years, Joel has excelled more at helping clubs out of difficult situations than winning titles. Despite this, this season, he intends to fight to get Flamengo back into the continent's most prestigious international competition, the Copa Libertadores, and leave the immense red-and-black nation with title hopes next year.
Flamengo Juniors beat Botafogo in the first leg of the OPG
Flamengo defeated Botafogo 2-0 in the first leg of the Octávio Pinto Guimarães Tournament (OPG) semifinals this Saturday at Caio Martins Stadium. Kaíke and Bruno Mezenga scored for the red-and-blacks.
The return match will be next Wednesday, in Gávea.
Baffinha, former Flamengo press officer, dies
Journalist Altair Baffa - Baffinha - former press officer for Flamengo during the administrations of former presidents Kleber Leite and Edmundo Santos Silva, passed away in the early hours of this Saturday.
His body is being cremated at Caju Cemetery, at Memorial do Carmo, where he will be cremated tomorrow.
Baffinha had been hospitalized for several days. He showed signs of improvement mid-week, but ultimately succumbed.
The red-black board opens the club's doors to Adriano
Flamengo's board has offered to welcome Inter Milan striker Adriano, who will come to Brazil to recover from emotional issues. The player, who was developed by Flamengo, was initially scheduled to work at São Paulo's reffis. However, the 'emperor' has already been informed that the club's facilities are at his complete disposal.
Adriano has not yet made an official statement, but São Paulo's directors are certain that he will remain at Morumbi.
Fight between fans may have been arranged online
Police officers from DPCA (Child and Adolescent Protection Department) are investigating whether the fight that took place yesterday at Praça XV, between Vasco and Flamengo fans, was arranged online.
The trouble began early Friday evening at Praça Quinze, where members of Vasco's organized fan club met with rivals from Flamengo's Jovem do Flamengo team. Both teams were heading to the Vasco-Flamengo State Basketball Championship game in Niterói.
After this confusion, Vasco fans beat up a red-and-black fan, who is hospitalized on strike. (Read the news about the attack on the red-and-black fan here).
Vasco fans are released by the police
All 52 Vasco da Gama fans involved in the beating of 44-year-old Vasco da Gama fan Germano Soares da Silva have been released. The Vasco fans were arrested by the Military Police and taken to the 6th Precinct (Cidade Nova), but since most were minors, the Child and Adolescent Protection Department took charge of the case. All gave statements, were booked, and released.
The police have not yet been able to charge any of the adult fans, because it has not yet been possible to identify the actions of each fan during the attack.
Germano Soares remains hospitalized at Souza Aguiar hospital with a head injury.
Fla wants to turn things around
Shake off the dust and bounce back. This is Flamengo's motto, which today, starting at 11 a.m. in Campos, will face the home team. The Red-Black team is looking to achieve its ninth victory in the championship to show that the controversial match against Vasco last Friday is behind it.
Coach Paulo Chupeta guarantees that the defeat to their arch-rival was overcome by his players.
"It's a closed chapter. We suffered greatly after that match. But despite the defeat, we're still leaders. We still depend solely on ourselves."
Regarding the team's first defeat in this State Championship, the coach assured that losing was not the big problem, but rather the referee's performance, which would have harmed the game's development.
"Losing to a strong team like Vasco is nothing out of the ordinary, especially when you lose by just one point. What angered the players was the refereeing, which prevented both teams from playing."
Marcos de Castro
São Paulo was rude, beyond rude, trying to attack Flamengo by self-proclaiming itself the only team to have won the Brazilian Championship five times. As you know, in the 80s, the CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation) lumped all sorts of things together for the Brazilian Championship. These were the final throes of the military dictatorship and the early years of the return to democracy, the "tender little flower" of which Otávio Mangabeira spoke, still wounded in several of its petals by the heel of the boot. In the case of soccer, the Brazilian Championship once had 96 clubs.
The current CBF president, a São Paulo native linked to Bragantino, brought the clubs together as if everything were a single division, separated only into groups he called "modules." But it was clear that one of the modules constituted the First Division and the other the Second. A dispute between the winner of the main module and the winner of the secondary module (which Flamengo refused to accept) would be like São Paulo having to compete today against the champion of the Second Division to be crowned champion. Wouldn't that be a contradiction?
The CBF recognizes Sport do Recife's title, yes, but, as we know, there are legal things that are not legitimate, just as there are legitimate things that are not legal. Flamengo is a legitimate five-time Brazilian champion. The rest is São Paulo's lack of elegance, to avoid using a stronger term, which would actually be appropriate.
Newton Zarani
On the other hand, what has Flamengo's run been like? What a beauty! A relief for Rio de Janeiro football, which had been the butt of ridicule for several Brazilian championships. And now, we already have Fluminense in next year's Libertadores, and Flamengo with one foot in it.
Kudos to Joel Santana, who's been doing an excellent job with those kids. Kudos to Íbson, who's been making waves. Kudos to goalkeeper Bruno, who needs no introduction. And, most importantly, Kudos to the red-and-black fans, who have been putting on a show wherever they go. They truly are the true champions of 2007.
O Dia
Fans schedule new fights
Orkut records threats. Injured Flamengo fan was threatened with death by rival groups.
Leslie Leitao and Élcio Braga
Rio - The war between organized fan groups promises new and bloody chapters in the coming days, when Flamengo and Vasco will face off again in the state futsal, basketball, and junior soccer championships. In the "Choque de Torcida" community on the social networking site Orkut, fans have been exchanging threats. On Friday night, in a fight that drew more than 150 people at Praça 15, Germano Soares de Souza, 44, of Jovem do Flamengo, was beaten by rivals and is hospitalized in critical condition at Souza Aguiar Hospital.
“The sky squad will get stronger!” jokes an internet user, who identifies himself as Batman, on a discussion forum about new fights.
Yesterday, Germano's friends and relatives, including his daughter Dalila, who is nine months pregnant, visited him in the ICU. He is in a coma and on a ventilator. Germano suffered fractures in all the bones in his face, lost brain tissue, and underwent surgery. His mother, Sandra, became ill and went home. His father, German de Souza, 9, spoke about a grim prediction his son made before leaving home on Friday.
"He told his mother, 'Today I'm going to die or I'm going to be arrested,'" his father said. The fan has had several police arrests: three times for assault, once for threats, and once for attempted murder. According to his father, he was even stabbed in the head. Germano was jailed for almost a month after a fight in November 2005 in which Botafogo fan Rhafick Tavares da Silva Cancio, 20, was killed in Barra do Piraí.
The Child and Adolescent Protection Unit (DPCA) is investigating yesterday's brawl. Fans of Jovem Fla faced off against Vasco fans from Força and Ira Jovem. Reports suggest members of Fúria Jovem do Botafogo were also in the group that nearly beat Germano to death.
Fifty-six fans were arrested, 56 of them minors. All gave statements and were released. They are expected to be charged with aggravated brawling, assault, or criminal conspiracy.
Germano's father revealed that his son was threatened with death by Vasco and Botafogo fans.
Fla: 'Stay, daddy Joel, stay'
One by one, players ask the father-man coach not to even think about returning to Vegalta Sendai
Martha Esteves
Rio - Nothing was pre-arranged. But as soon as they learned of Vegalta Sendai, from Japan,'s interest in bringing back Joel Santana, the players, one by one, asked the coach not to even consider leaving Gávea. The team is determined to compete in the Copa Libertadores under the "fatherly coach" who pulled the team out of the relegation zone, boosted their self-esteem, and is very close to securing a spot in the continental tournament.
Renato Augusto, who was once sidelined by the coach when he was going through a rough patch but is now his best asset, confirmed that several teammates, like him, have asked the coach to stay at the club. Once the position is secured, Joel will discuss renewing his contract with vice president of football Kléber Leite.
"The team today reflects Joel's personality and only works so well because he knew how to work with each person's mindset. Especially when everyone's self-esteem was at a low ebb. It wouldn't make any sense to compete in the Copa Libertadores without him," says Renato Augusto.
Goalkeeper Bruno supports the idea. He believes the coach has successfully used his "fatherly style" to unite the players, smooth things over, and get the team right on the field. "Joel is a very special person. He has a way of getting the best out of everyone. I doubt he'll trade his dream of playing in the Copa Libertadores for Japanese football," he says.
No one owes Joel more than Toró. It was after following his advice to "keep your mouth shut, diet, and work hard in training" that the eternal prospect was able to solidify his grit and determination, becoming the new darling of the fans.
"Joel absolutely cannot leave. He's indispensable to the team, especially in a difficult and stressful competition like the Libertadores. He's one of the best coaches in Brazil and directly responsible for my good form," Toró thanks.
Joel Santana is thrilled to receive the praise. He appreciates the affection shown by his players and even his colleague Cuca, who called him the best coach in Brazil, but he wants to put aside the interest of Japanese football and focus solely on Flamengo.
"I appreciate being praised, especially by a professional friend like Cuca, who recognized my work in the championship without seeking revenge. I'm also touched by the players' affection, but let's just focus on the game against Atlético-PR on the 25th and the opportunity to secure our place in the Libertadores once and for all," Joel says.
'I only think about Flamengo'
Every other month, speculation arises about European interest in Renato Augusto. The club in question is Valencia, from Spain, which reportedly asked a manager for information. The supporter swears he knows nothing and doesn't want to know. The only thing he cares about right now is helping the team secure its coveted Copa Libertadores berth.
The player follows the advice of Joel Santana, who urged everyone to avoid controversy and focus solely on the games against Atlético-PR on the 25th and Náutico on the 2nd. "I don't want to hear anything about Valencia. Until the end of the championship, I'm only thinking about Flamengo. After that, we can even talk. My mind is focused on the Libertadores," he concludes.
Another topic that doesn't matter much to him is the debate over which position he'll play. He prefers midfield, but is available to play up front: "I'll talk to Joel and do what he says."
TICKET NOW ONLY ON SALE
Flamengo is very close to breaking a new record in this Brazilian Championship, with 82.044 paying spectators. There are no more tickets for the match against Atlético-PR. The 49.314 seats, including regular seats and white bleachers, sold out yesterday. Only the 32.730 green and yellow bleachers from Nestlé's promotion remain. Tickets will be exchanged for cans of Neston at accredited supermarkets starting Monday.
Yesterday, under light rain, fans lined up early. In Gávea, before 8 a.m., more than 50 people were waiting for the ticket office to open at 11 a.m. The biggest complaint was the nearly two-hour wait for tickets to be purchased. The explanation was simple: with only one employee at the counter and the requirement to check documents guaranteeing half-price tickets, the process was slow. In Laranjeiras, the complaint was the same. "We need more people. We've been getting rained on for hours and the line isn't moving," demanded Carla Rodrigues, 24, a Leblon resident.
EXCHANGE POINTS
Sendas Supermarkets (Dias da Cruz, Largo do Machado, Ponte and Leblon); Extra Supermarkets (Maracanã and Barra 24h); Mundial Supermarkets (Matoso and Freguesia) and Carrefour Supermarkets (Norte Shopping).
Sports Gazette
Ney Franco is a concern at Flamengo
Gazeta Press
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Flamengo continues preparing for next Sunday's match against Atlético-PR, at 18:10 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, in the penultimate round of the Brazilian Championship. The game is crucial for the Rio de Janeiro team in its fight for a spot in the next Copa Libertadores. The fact that coach Ney Franco, currently with Furacão, is on the other side of the field is a concern for Flamengo fans.\ The coach of the Paraná team knows the Flamengo squad well, having managed it until almost the end of the first half of this year's Brasileirão. With the Rubro-Negro da Gávea, the coach won the 2006 Copa do Brasil and this year's Campeonato Carioca.\
"It will be a dangerous game for Flamengo precisely because on the other side they have Ney Franco, who is undoubtedly one of the best football coaches in Brazil today. He is a source of concern because of his competence. I'm a fan of his work as a coach and as a person, as he is a top-quality professional," said Flamengo's vice president of football, Kléber Leite.
The managers' concerns are shared by much of the red-and-black squad. Midfielder Renato Augusto, who has a chance of starting the match, also praised the former manager.
"I'm biased, as Ney Franco gave me many opportunities and trusted me when I was still very young. He knows our squad very well, and that's a concern. But on the field, I'll do everything I can to win the game. If Ney Franco knows us well, we also know how he likes to set up his teams," said the midfielder.
The team for the match against Atlético-PR will only be determined during this week's training sessions, but the main concern remains finding a replacement for midfielder Toró, who will serve an automatic suspension for the third yellow card he received in the 1-0 victory over Santos. Renato Augusto remains the top choice for this spot, especially since he has been highly praised by Joel Santana.
BalloonSport
Fla is certain to go to Granja
Kléber Leite says he called the CBF training center administrator and will make a decision on Monday.
Marcio Iannacca
Flamengo's board of directors has already confirmed the red-and-black delegation's trip to Granja Comary, in Teresópolis, in the mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro. This is guaranteed by vice president of football Kléber Leite, who has already spoken with the training center administrator and will receive official approval from the CBF next Monday.
Flamengo was scheduled to travel to Granja Comary the following Tuesday and remain there until Friday, returning to Rio de Janeiro after training. The idea of taking the team out of the city arose due to the excitement surrounding the possibility of the red-and-black team securing a spot in the 2008 Copa Libertadores.
"I've already called the Granja administrator, and he told me that referee training will take place there, but that Flamengo will be able to train normally at Granja Comary. We'll be staying at the Alpina Hotel and will train there on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. I'll talk to Marco Antônio Teixeira (CBF general secretary) on Monday, and we won't have any problems resolving this. We never have," says Kléber Leite.
Fla makes itself available to Adriano
Kléber Leite says he spoke with the player's agent about him working at Gávea
Marcio Iannacca
Adriano trains hard at Inter Milan
The fight between Flamengo and São Paulo isn't limited to the trophy for their fifth Brazilian championship. The rivalry now revolves around who will help Inter Milan striker Adriano in his fight to recover from depression. The São Paulo club guarantees that the Emperor will work at Reffis. However, Flamengo's vice president of football, Kléber Leite, says he has offered the athlete's agent the entire club structure.
Flamengo's board contacted Gilmar Rinaldi and offered to make Adriano available, who was released by the Milan club to spend some time in Brazil. The goal is for the player to regain the form he displayed in previous seasons.
"I called Gilmar Rinaldi last week and made Flamengo available to Adriano. Everything was laid out very clearly for him. It's a humane approach. The guy is in trouble, and we're thinking about him," says the director.
On the Tricolor side, however, the board is certain that Adriano will join the club. São Paulo even revealed this week that the plan is to count on the Emperor in the 2008 Copa Libertadores, a competition in which Flamengo is close to securing a spot.
Throw
Kléber Leite guarantees Cristian's selection
A good relationship between Flamengo and Atlético-PR should guarantee the player's selection, according to the director.
Cristian doesn't want to be left out (Credit: Cléber Mendes)
LANCEPRESS!
Last Friday, Flamengo's vice-president of football, Kléber Leite, guaranteed that Cristian will face Atlético Paranaense, on the 25th, in a match valid for the penultimate round of the Brasileirão.
In the loan of the midfielder to the Rio de Janeiro club, there is a clause in which the Rio de Janeiro club has to pay 100 thousand reais for him to play against Furacão.
The news that Cristian was guaranteed was even published, but Atlético Paranaense denied the agreement.
Kleber Leite revealed that the matter will be finalized next week. The director's confidence in the midfielder's presence is due to the good relationship between the clubs.
Leandro praises Flamengo, 'return champion'
Former full-back warned that 'Rubro-Negro shouldn't be allowed to get close'
Leandro in action against the club he called runner-up
Fred Gomes RIO DE JANEIRO
Excited about Flamengo's recovery in the Brazilian Championship, former player Leandro - owner of four Brazilian titles (80,82,83, 87, XNUMX and XNUMX) and a world title with the club - bets that Rubro-Negro will finish the year in second place.
The former player still believes that Fla will close the year with the best campaign in the second round of the Brasileirão.
"We have two very important games, but we'll win and be champions of the second round. Overall, we'll finish second. But second because Vasco is the runner-up," the former full-back teased.
Euphoric, he highlighted Flamengo's strength in decisive moments:
"Don't let Flamengo get there. If they do, it's going to be tough. We were down there, we kept climbing... climbing, and now we have this chance at the Libertadores," he concluded.
Leonardo asks for recognition of the 87 tetra
Former left-back considers it impossible to see Sport as champions
Leonardo wants recognition for his fourth title
Fred Gomes RIO DE JANEIRO
The controversy surrounding the fifth-championship trophy and the recognition of the 1987 fourth-championship continues to resonate among those close to Flamengo. This Saturday, former player Leonardo described the CBF's recognition of the 87 title as a matter of common sense.
"The situation is so obvious that they should have resolved it immediately, as it's a popular issue. That championship was marked by highly controversial regulations, but what people think is fair is fair. It's impossible to give the title to Sport given their record and Flamengo's record. Sport is the champion of the division they competed in," he explains.
Leonardo, who currently works as a director for Milan, fondly remembered the 1987 team, highlighting the victory as the most memorable moment of his career. The four-time world champion insisted that popular recognition is the most important thing.
"I won't forget that Copa União, because it was the most memorable moment of my life. We always played in front of a packed Maracanã stadium, on a team with stars like Zico, Leandro, and Andrade," he recalls, naming the team from goalkeeper Zé Carlos to striker Bebeto, his teammate in the '87 fourth World Cup.
Flamengo beat Botafogo 2-0 at OPG
Rubro-Negro gains a good advantage in the semifinal of the junior tournament
LANCEPRESS!
Flamengo prevailed in the first leg of the Octávio Pinto Guimarães Tournament semifinal against Botafogo. The Red-Black team defeated its rival 2-0 at Caio Martins Stadium this Saturday. Bruno and Kayke scored the goals, both in the first half.
With this result, the team is very close to the final of the competition, and could lose the second leg by a single goal. The match takes place next Wednesday at Gávea Stadium. The other finalist will be determined by the matchups between Fluminense and Vasco.
Joel has a champion average at Flamengo
Campaign is comparable to Santos in 2004 and Corinthians in 2005
Joel Santana led Flamengo to third place in the Brasileirão (Credit: Ricardo Cassianou)
Cassius Leitao RIO DE JANEIRO\ Fred Gomes RIO DE JANEIRO\
Since arriving at Flamengo in this Brazilian Championship, coach Joel Santana has an impressive 64% success rate (14 wins, four draws, and six losses). Flamengo's campaign under the coach is comparable to that of Santos, the 2004 champion, and Corinthians, who won the national title in 2005.
Considering that Flamengo wasn't expected to be among the top teams, Joel's ability becomes clear. Flamengo's squad has some decent talent, but nothing compared to Santos's in 2004. At the time, Vanderlei Luxemburgo's team featured Robinho, Elano, Diego, and Léo.
The following season, supported by the partnership with MSI (an agreement that ended up not working out), Corinthians made important signings such as Tevez, Roger, Carlos Alberto, Nilmar and Fábio Costa.
Natalino's achievement gains even more value not only because of the difference between these teams, but also because he took over RubroNegro in the relegation zone.
To give you an idea, with Ney Franco, who managed the team in the first 12 games of the competition, Flamengo won only 33% of the points they played for.
Argentine striker Maxi, who made his debut for Flamengo on August 5th, in the 3-0 defeat to Santos, at Vila Belmiro (precisely in the game that marked Joel's return to Gávea), highlighted the importance of the coach in the red-black turnaround in the Brasileirão.
"Joel was a key player, instilling confidence in the squad and managing to lift the team in a difficult situation. He's very cheerful and a lot of fun. He motivates us to work," said the striker, who accepted his departure from the starting lineup without complaining about the coach.
Joel Santana says he will put a flag in the window
Coach joins Flamengo fans' campaign
Flamengo fans have launched a campaign to display club flags in their windows on the day of the match against Atlético Paranaense (November 25). To paint the city red and black, the nation will have the help of someone very special: coach Joel Santana.
The coach assured that he has a Flamengo flag at home and praised this further initiative by the fans, in addition to predicting another record.
"Of course I'm going to put my flag in the window! It's a really cool campaign and shows that the fans are united for the game. We've already broken attendance records, and we're going to break the record for flags," he said.
Joel Santana liked the campaign so much that he suggested a modification to the original idea:
– It would be better if the flags were placed early next week.