The Globe
São Paulo launches jersey to celebrate fifth title. Fla protests\ The president of the São Paulo club says he has the support of the CBF. The red-and-black team reacts\
Photo caption: The controversial SHIRT, with the inscription "Penta único", which provokes a reaction of outrage at Flamengo
Photo caption: A PHOTO OF the Flamengo team, champions in 1987, led by coach Carlinhos: standing, Leandro, Zé Carlos, Andrade, Edinho, Leonardo and Jorginho; crouching, Bebeto, Renato Gaúcho, Aílton, Zico and Zinho
One day after winning the Brazilian Championship four rounds early, São Paulo's title continues to generate controversy. After all, who has the right to proclaim themselves five-time champions? The interstate debate got a little more heated yesterday with the move by Reebok, the sportswear company that sponsors the São Paulo club, which released a commemorative shirt with the phrase "Fifth unique." The shirt, evidently, didn't go down well in Gávea. Outraged, Kleber Leite, Flamengo's vice president of football, called São Paulo's decision unethical.
"It's a sign of disloyalty, since, at the time, the president of the Club of 13, Carlos Miguel Aidar, was also president of São Paulo. It wasn't Flamengo that refused to play against Sport, at the intersection of the green and yellow modules. It was a decision of the Club of 13, officially recorded in the minutes. This is a scandal. It's disrespectful. The creation of this jersey is an attack on dignity. The person who should resolve this is the president of the Club of 13, Fábio Koff, who is negligent," said Kleber Leite.
For Fla, CBF does not have the authority to define
The controversy surrounding the CBF trophy, which was to be awarded to the first five-time Brazilian champion in history, promises to fuel even more controversy. Yesterday, on its official website, the CBF merely congratulated São Paulo on winning the title early, but there was no official statement defining the issue.
According to Juvenal Juvêncio, president of São Paulo, in a call in the afternoon, Ricardo Teixeira, president of the CBF, would have confirmed the news that the Tricolors had been waiting for: the trophy will be São Paulo's.
"Ricardo Teixeira called me to congratulate me on the title and to say that the trophy for our fifth championship is ours. Ricardo Teixeira promised that we will receive this trophy for five-time champions along with the trophy for our 2007 victory," said Juvenal Juvêncio in an interview with "Jovem Pan" radio.
President Ricardo Teixeira's position, however, is contested by Flamengo.
"This is not the CBF's responsibility, nor Ricardo's. The decision is up to Koff, since Flamengo acted based on an agreement filed with the Club of 13 and with the authorization of its members," says Kleber Leite.
With the confirmation of its fifth championship title, São Paulo reportedly agreed to stop the provocations, declaring itself the only club to have won the Brazilian championship five times on the jersey released yesterday. One of the two black jerseys produced by the São Paulo club's sports equipment supplier to commemorate the national title reads "Fifth Only." The front displays the years corresponding to the victories: 77, 86, 91, 06, 07, as well as the number 005, representing the number of titles. The back also contains an explanation for the numbers. The 5-3-3 refers to São Paulo's major titles.
The other jersey model, in red, is an update to the one released last year, which featured the numbers 4-3-3 on the front. Now updated to reflect the team's fifth Brazilian title, it is already on sale at the supplier's store in Morumbi. Both models will be available at other sporting goods stores next week. The suggested starting price is R$89,90.
The controversy promises to be fruitful. Flamengo's legal department, which filed an extrajudicial injunction the day before yesterday to prevent São Paulo from being declared the five-time champion, is considering what measures to take in the aftermath of the case.
"We're evaluating what we can do," says Michel Assef Filho. "We have to wait for the CBF's position to choose the best path."
Roger: 'I live in my own little world'
Resentful, the player says he only celebrates with his family. Joel stays in 2008
Márcio Tavares
Joel Santana and Roger, like most of the recent signings for 2007, arrived in shambles. Today, they face different situations. Signed as a solution to the midfield's lack of creativity, Roger played only 11 games for Flamengo and was labeled a slipper. Now, with a winning goal in the 2-1 victory over Corinthians the day before yesterday, he's once again enjoying fleeting moments of prestige at Gávea.
Despite the success of scoring the goal (his only one in this Brazilian Championship), which put Flamengo among the teams fighting for a spot in the Libertadores, Roger displayed the same coolness yesterday as the day before, when he didn't celebrate, out of respect for his former club. Where he might return to if he doesn't stay at Flamengo.
In a press conference where he seemed uncomfortable at times, he insisted that he still felt the mysterious pains that no test could diagnose. And, reiterating that he usually only opens up around family, he offered a self-congratulatory speech, praising his determination to score a goal in the short time he had played.
"When I scored, I was so happy to put Flamengo in the top four. Even more so because I'm still feeling some pain and wasn't ready to play all the time. I didn't celebrate out of respect for my former Corinthians teammates. The pressure is immense there. My heart only opens to those I love. I rejoice deeply because many people distort things. I live in my own little world. I took a lot of beatings and suffered alone. When things aren't going well, I isolate myself," Roger vented.
Kleber says Joel will assemble the team for 2008
Joel Santana, however, displayed a different mood. He didn't indulge in self-praise, but his worried expression was replaced by a more relaxed one, with the smile that had been absent during his time in the relegation zone. Unafraid of the grind, Joel rolled up his sleeves, got his act together, and is now reaping the rewards of his labor: Flamengo has officially announced his continued presence, which should be finalized on Tuesday.
"Of course he'll stay," assures Kleber Leite, vice president of football. "On Tuesday, we'll also decide on his new contract and begin putting together the 2008 Flamengo team. They offered us striker Washington, but only after Joel's evaluation and recommendations can we discuss reinforcements. Just like Ney Franco, he'll be the one to choose who to work with."
And the digging began with Kleber and directly with Joel. Sitting in a chair, the coach loudly answers a call on his cell phone.
"What's his name? Oh, okay... I can't say anything right now because I haven't resolved my situation with Kleber. We'll see about that next week," said Joel, who reached the historic milestone of five consecutive wins, something Flamengo hadn't achieved in about 25 years. "We still have to reach 64 points."
With five bonus payments overdue, the team travels today to the match against Cruzeiro on Sunday. Souza, suspended, is out, but Toró has been confirmed.
Fernando Calazans
Double congratulations
Flamengo still doesn't know for sure whether it will compete in the Copa Libertadores da América, but the Brazilian Championship already has a champion: São Paulo. For now, congratulations to both: São Paulo for the fait accompli, Flamengo for its prospects and its exuberant comeback, which lifted it from the relegation zone into the honorable fight for one of the top four spots in the competition.
Another victory for Joel Santana, for Ibson, for the fans - another victory for Flamengo: 2-1 over Corinthians.
Joel Santana's work in this, his umpteenth stint at a major Rio club, is impeccable. Ibson's transformation of the team is extraordinary, in a position and role unique to him, encompassing the entire field: defense, midfield, and attack. He plays from one area to the other.
Flamengo, as a whole, didn't play all that well. Corinthians started better, scoring their goal with a beautiful play from Lulinha to Finazzi, in an open and inviting defense. But little by little, Flamengo started, not to say getting better, but at least improving, to turn the tables on Corinthians, who are far from being Corinthians.
And there was Ibson—among other things, also scoring a goal from Souza's backheel pass. There was Leonardo Moura, the best full-back in the Brazilian Championship. Not a full-back, but a winger. Or rather, a striker.
And finally, Roger appeared, having previously only been seen pulling the team's chain in the tunnel before coming on to score a beautiful goal, the winning goal, perhaps the Libertadores goal. Coming on in the second half, Roger appeared briefly but well. Will he be seen more now?
A typical Flamengo of this championship, a championship that, excluding São Paulo, always on the rise, and América de Natal, always on the decline, was a championship of moments. Or, as they rightly say, a championship of many championships. Flamengo had its moment and its championship—at a very appropriate time.
Renato Mauricio Prado
Vile opportunism
São Paulo knows perfectly well that Flamengo has been the five-time Brazilian champion for exactly 15 years. They know this, first and foremost, because their president at the time, Carlos Miguel Aidar, also presided over the Clube dos 13, an organization created in 1987 and responsible for the famous Copa União, the legitimate successor to the Brazilian Championship that year, which the bankrupt CBF declared itself incapable of holding.
From the beginning, it was decided by all participants that the winner of that competition - which brought together the main clubs in Brazil - would be considered the legitimate and undisputed Brazilian champion.
And that, under no circumstances, would there be the so-called "crossing with the yellow module", a late invention by Otávio Pinto Guimarães and Nabi Abib Chedid (president and vice president of the CBF) and which was demagogically created just to try, in some way, to participate in the process, from which they had been completely excluded, due to technical, political and financial incapacity.
The bizarre proposal was so ridiculous that it didn't even envisage, purely and simply, a confrontation between the champion of the First Division (which the CBF started to call the green module) and the winner of the Second Division (the so-called yellow module).
What the CBF proposed (and was rejected by all members of the Club of 13) was a four-way tournament between the top two teams from each module. Brilliant, right?
Few remember, but the so-called yellow module never even had a champion. In the decisive match between Sport and Guarani, after a draw in regulation time and 11 penalty kicks for each side, with no winner, both teams decided to declare themselves equal winners, period!
Later, in the farce orchestrated by the ill-fated duo Otávio/Nabi, the Pernambuco team beat the São Paulo team, and were then recognized by the CBF (and only by it!) as the 1987 Brazilian champions.
If he weren't a leader so concerned with petty fights and revenge, the current president Ricardo Teixeira would have already recognized Flamengo as the champion - and could even, in a, let's say, "poetic license", declare a double title, so as not to take away from Sport its greatest award (although unfair).
But Ricardo Teixeira is a longtime personal enemy of Márcio Braga. And for that reason alone, he refuses to make the blatantly obvious official.
That sooner or later, however, with or without Ricardo and Márcio as presidents, will inevitably be recognized. Only and solely for the sake of justice. The rest is just blah blah blah and "pile" from the rainbow gang.
Juvenal Juvêncio, the current president of São Paulo, was Carlos Miguel Aidar's right-hand man during the 1987 Brazilian Championship. He knew everything, followed everything, and now, with the utmost nerve, he says that his club is the first five-time Brazilian champion...
A stance so absurd that it raises suspicions that go beyond the unbelievable rosewood face of the top hat.
Is he concerned about securing the 2014 World Cup debut at Morumbi Stadium? And, to that end, is he also hoping to secure CBF funding to remodel his entire stadium?
Regrettable...
Flamengo's base team, Brazilian champions of 1987: Zé Carlos, Jorginho, Leandro, Edinho (Aldair) and Leonardo; Andrade, Aílton and Zico; Renato, Bebeto and Zinho.
Five of them would become world champions in 1994. And others, like Leandro, Zico, Edinho and Renato Gaúcho, need no introduction or resume...
Oh, I almost forgot: Emerson Leão, then Sport's coach, said that THIS team was afraid to play against his team!
Can anyone, who isn't a Sport fan, tell me the lineup for that Pernambuco team? And can you tell me how many of those players ended up playing for the national team? Well...
I am writing before the evening's round and, therefore, I do not know if the result between Cruzeiro and Botafogo and, consequently, if the Minas Gerais team is once again ahead of Flamengo in the league table.
But, regardless of this, the red-black team, thanks to the victory over Corinthians and Grêmio's defeat to Atlético Paranaense, now depends solely on its own results to reach the long-awaited Libertadores.
It's still not an easy task - as the game against Cruzeiro is at Mineirão and Santos, even at Maracanã, should be a tough nut to crack.
But it's undeniable that Boitatá has already materialized. And Fla-Raikkonen is flying in this final stretch...
Kudos to Joel Santana! Despite Toró as the starting midfielder...
Ibson is playing so well! I hope they don't let him leave at the end of the year to go with Kleberson.
Malice overheard in the Globoesporte.com newsroom, after Roger's amazing goal, sealing the victory over Corinthians:
- He kicked so hard that the "slipper" ended up in the stands!
Some say that goalkeeper Felipe got confused and jumped to palm the "flip flop" away, while the ball went into the other corner...
Sports Journal
Mengão wants more of the same
Satisfied with Joel Santana's work, the board wants to renew the coach's contract.
Nathan de Lima and Thiago Bokel
Coach Joel Santana and vice president of football Kleber Leite watch the training match at Gávea. The club wants the red-and-black manager to lead the team next year.
Despite not yet securing a Libertadores berth, coach Joel Santana's work has fully met the expectations of Flamengo's leadership. As vice president of football Kleber Leite stated yesterday, the club hopes the coach will continue to lead the team next year. Even with the interest, there's no guarantee this will actually happen.
"We intend to keep Joel for 2008 and continue the work that has already been done. Now it's up to him. Last time—at the end of 2005—something similar happened and he chose not to continue, going to Japan. But I believe that this time the story will be different," assured Kleber Leite.
There's a logic to such conviction. Joel still doesn't want to move his plans forward because he's involved with the Libertadores. The announcement of his stay is expected soon. A strong indication of this is the meeting the two will have next Tuesday to discuss signings. The red-and-black manager, however, preferred to avoid discussing the matter.
"It's not the right time to discuss this yet. We're working within a door that's just opened, and I'd rather leave this situation for later. We still have a lot to talk about, but I believe there won't be a problem, as I've known Kleber for a long time. My focus is on the end of this championship," he stated.
Angelim will not face Cruzeiro\ But Joel Santana has an additional headache for Sunday's game against Cruzeiro at Mineirão Stadium. In addition to striker Souza's suspension for receiving his third yellow card, defender Ronaldo Angelim was ruled out by the medical department as a precaution due to the illness that forced him to leave the field at halftime.\
Just yesterday, the defender underwent several clinical tests and will face another series. The results are expected next Wednesday. Fearing the problem could be more serious, doctor Walter Martins preferred to rest him. Joel hasn't yet announced who will replace Angelim, but he's likely to opt for Thiago Sales—his immediate replacement. The other alternative is Rodrigo Arroz, who was even chosen to come on against Corinthians, but that only happened because Thiago wasn't included in the squad for the game.
Kléber Leite wants to see another show from the red-black fans
Flamengo's Vice President of Football, Kléber Leite, has called on the Flamengo fans to support Flamengo's upcoming matches at Maracanã. In the club's opinion, the club has two goals for the next two matches. "Flamengo has two goals for the upcoming matches at Maracanã against Santos and Atlético-PR. We have to fill the stadium for these matches, and we're going to break the record for paying attendance," said the Flamengo vice president in an interview with the club's official website.
Kléber stated that he expects to see the Maracanã packed with Flamengo fans, just as happened in the victory over Corinthians. "We're making more than 79 tickets available for these two games. Tickets are already on sale at the usual ticket offices. I hope all tickets are sold in advance."
As São Paulo already holds the Brazilian Championship title, Kléber recalled the competition's old format, in which the top eight teams qualify for the traditional knockout stage.
"I'm absolutely convinced that this format of competition is boring. Under the old system, the championship was much more exciting and competitive. I'm sure Flamengo would be strong in the title race," the club director concluded.
Reinforcements and renewals for Fla 2008
Flamengo executives want to speed up the renewal of defender Fábio Luciano
With the possibility of competing in the Libertadores Cup getting closer, the red-black board is starting to think about the team that will defend the team's colors in the 2008 season. The directors want to speed up Fábio Luciano's contract renewal and also talk to coach Joel Santana about possible signings.
The club's vice president of football, Kleber Leite, said he was confident the defender would renew his contract, as the sheriff had expressed interest in staying at Gávea next year. "I'll meet with his agent next week, but there shouldn't be any problems regarding the renewal," the director said.
Regarding the possible signing of striker Washington, formerly of Atlético-PR, who currently plays for Urawa Reds in Japan, the director said he will speak with Joel Santana to find out if the coach will approve the striker's name.
"I'll have a meeting with Joel next Tuesday to finalize the signings. If he accepts Washington, we can move forward with the deal," said Kleber Leite.
Leonardo wants to stay
With Washington potentially joining Flamengo, striker Leonardo is unlikely to remain with the team next year, but the player told JORNAL DOS SPORTS that he would like to remain with the team.
"I'm still in pain and I'm going to get checked for an infection. I'd like to stay here," he said.
Despite the 'stabbing', Roger is happy
The main highlight of the victory over Corinthians on Wednesday, midfielder Roger admitted that he was not in a position to play the full 45 minutes, but that he had to make a sacrifice, as striker Souza could no longer continue.
"I still feel a dull pain like a knife in my left thigh. But Joel needed me and I ended up responding. I was very happy to help Flamengo, in my entirety, get closer to the Libertadores and at the same time I suffered for leaving Corinthians in a more delicate situation. But they will get through this," he hoped.
REFEREEING - The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) will innovate its refereeing system, aiming to improve performance. On Sunday, in the match between Cruzeiro and Flamengo, a new radio communication system will be tested between the referees. This new technology will be tested in five more matches until the end of the Brazilian Championship, and Flamengo is involved in another one. In the next round against Santos, this form of communication will also be used.
Cup: Kleber Leite criticizes Club of 13
The saga surrounding the fifth championship trophy continues to rage in Gávea. Club vice-president Kleber Leite called for greater involvement from Clube dos 13 in this matter, as the 1987 Copa União was hosted by the organization.
"This matter concerns the Club of 13, especially since there was a decision at the time that the game against Sport would not take place. São Paulo even sided with us. This weakens even the Club of 13. They should act more firmly on this matter. The important thing is not to have the trophy, but to be the Brazilian Champion," said the director.
Zinho visits the club
Former Miami FC supporter and current coach Zinho, Brazilian champion in 1987 with Flamengo, visited Gávea yesterday to talk with Joel Santana and also took the opportunity to comment on the matter.
"This should have been resolved already. The entire press and all fans know that Flamengo was the champion. It was Flamengo that faced Inter in the final. Sport beat Guarani. The CBF could have been smart and declared both clubs champions that year," said Zinho.
Kléber Leite says São Paulo's shirt is 'unethical'
Kléber Leite, Flamengo's vice president of football, is upset. He considers the São Paulo board's decision, along with the club's sports equipment supplier, to produce a shirt with the words "Penta Único" to be unethical. Leite demanded a decision from the Clube dos 13 to resolve the dispute surrounding the 1987 Brazilian Championship, which saw Sport Recife crowned champions.
The director claimed that it was not Fla who refused to enter the field, but rather Clube dos 13, which at the time was chaired by Carlos Miguel Aidar who was also president of São Paulo, decided not to hold the match that would decide the title of that year's competition.
"If it was an action taken by São Paulo's board, it was unethical. And it's evidence of disloyalty, since, at the time, the president of the Club of 13 was also president of São Paulo. It wasn't Flamengo that didn't want to play. It was a decision by the Club of 13," said Kléber Leite.
At the time, the Gávea team, champion of the green module (equivalent to the 1st division) of the Taça União, was supposed to face, by rules, the champion of the yellow module (equivalent to the 2nd division), in this case, Sport, to decide the championship. At the time, it was said that Flamengo refused to play the match, crowning the Recife team, the 1987 winner.
Flamengo takes on Piedade at the 'Bombonera'
Two matches complete the State Futsal Championship today. Piedade hosts second-place Flamengo at home. In the other match, leaders Cabo Frio hosts Macaé.
Flamengo is riding high after a thrashing of Cabo Frio, which brought the teams closer together in the standings. But the match shouldn't be that easy. "It will be a tough game, as Piedade is fighting for one of the qualifying spots. In the first round, the match against them was very difficult," said Cid Escarlate, the Flamengo coach.
Despite the loss to América in the last round, Piedade should enter the court with full force. "It's our last card. We're going all out against them. It's difficult but not impossible," said player Maurição.
Macaé has a tough game. In the other match, Macaé travels to Cabo Frio to face the leader. The difference between the teams is only three points.
"I hope we can come away with the victory and maintain first place," said Rodrigo Barreto, Cabo Frio's coach, who believes there will be a lot of competition in the game.
"The game should be very difficult. Our group is very tight, but we have a chance of finishing first. Anything can happen in this game. I'm preparing my group emotionally to withstand the pressure from the fans, play calmly and come away with the victory," said Savio Badini, coach of Macaé.
Luiz Augusto Veloso
Planet Ball
A real Flamengo
Luiz Veloso laveloso@jsports.com.br
Flamengo's campaign in the second half of the Brazilian Championship is simply extraordinary. Joel Santana, in his own unique way, once again makes history, organizing a competitive, vibrant team, completely different from the one that started the competition and even insinuated itself toward the bottom of the table. It's been many years since Flamengo achieved such a significant position—third place with four matches remaining—especially in a competition under the home-and-away format.
The red-and-black squad is still no stunner, but it was competently refined and strengthened at the right time. The arrival of Fabio Luciano, Cristian, and Maxi, and the dismissal of the "merely average Minas Gerais team," was more than positive. But the most important aspect of this transformation was the reestablishment of the chemistry, usually unbeatable in Flamengo's case, between the players and the fans. The energy emanating from Maracanã recently has been impressive and has fueled this memorable run toward a realistic aspiration for a spot in the 2008 Copa Libertadores. Once again, Joel Santana proves his competence, disproving those who insist on mythologizing him and disregarding his value. Flamengo has everything it needs to end the year with a bang. And if they have common sense and correctly analyze what happened in 2007, they could have a promising 2008.
O Dia
Flamengo: Joel Santana, the magician
The coach took over when Fla was second to last and, today, his performance is close to that of the Brazilian champion
Marluci Martins
Rio - “Who is the best coach in the Brasileirão?”
The reporter's question made Joel Santana grow. He laughed, embarrassed, but couldn't resist:
“Hmm... Look, there's a guy at Flamengo who's doing really well.”
Joel made those around him laugh yesterday in Gávea, and continued:
"I'm not going to put olives in anyone's pie. Nobody puts olives in my pie..."
Irony aside, arrogance is far from being a part of the Flamengo coach's life. He then corrected himself, giving his vote to "the Brazilian champion." Therefore, Muricy Ramalho is his choice. But Joel isn't far behind.
Under his leadership, Flamengo averaged a 65,15 percent success rate, meaning they're not far behind the champion, Muricy, who averaged 71,56 percent.
When Joel took over, Flamengo was second-to-last in the Brazilian Championship, ahead of only América-RN and Juventude and Náutico. As if by magic, the club has levitated and is now among the best in the competition.
"I didn't think Flamengo would go this far. I confess I was surprised," said Joel, admitting he had asked for reinforcements. "Flamengo had won the State Championship, but everyone saw that Botafogo had slacked off," he added.
Today, wizard Joel Santana's horizon is different. Qualifying for next year's Copa Libertadores is his current goal.
"We have to get to 64 points. Maybe 63 will be enough. I've already told the players to forget about their opponents. We have to win our games," said the coach, relieved by the 55 points achieved so far.
ANOTHER YEAR OF JOEL
The 2-1 victory over Corinthians kept the dream alive and made the board look to the future. The directors have already confirmed they will renew Joel's contract, which ends in December. Next week, the first step will be taken: Vice President of Football Kléber Leite will call the coach for a meeting to outline plans for next year. Joel Santana is included in those plans, as is, of course, the Copa Libertadores.
"This isn't the time for that," coach Joel Santana said evasively, unwilling to anticipate whether he'll actually renew his contract with the club. "Our goal was to reach 50 points, and we realized we could go further. What worries me now is giving the red-and-blacks a merry Christmas. I'm very cautious about these things. I'll fulfill the contract and see how things go," he stated, concerned about not losing sight of his main focus.
Double feeling
The goal was a release. It came at just the right time, when critics were most looking down on Roger. But that didn't make him celebrate as expected. The supporter wasn't afraid to confess yesterday that he's saddened by Corinthians' poor run.
"There were mixed feelings. I was happy inside, but I have friends at Corinthians and I know what they're going through. After the game, I went to their locker room, gave the president a shirt, and told them I'm rooting for them," confessed Roger, who scored the winning goal in the red-and-black team's 2-1 victory over Timão.
It was his first goal for Flamengo. And, still upset by the criticism he's been receiving, Roger made a statement yesterday:
"I don't understand how anyone could think I'd want to miss a party like that. Who doesn't like being applauded by so many people?" he said.
“The most important thing is that the players came to hug me and tell me that I deserved that goal, for everything I've been through,” he added.
Despite the relief of finally scoring a goal for Flamengo, Roger still doesn't feel ready to play a full match:
"I'm trusting Dr. José Luiz Runco, who says it's normal to still feel a little pain. Let's see if I can keep coming in to help the team for the final 20 or 30 minutes," concluded the Flamengo midfielder.
For Sunday's game against Cruzeiro at Mineirão Stadium, Flamengo will be without Souza, who received his third yellow card for a foul, and Ronaldo Angelim. The defender fell ill at Maracanã Stadium and will likely undergo some routine tests today.
CBF warns: "The fifth trophy belongs to São Paulo"
São Paulo - In an interview with Rádio Jovem Pan, in São Paulo, the president of São Paulo, Juvenal Juvêncio, revealed that he received a phone call from the president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), Ricardo Teixeira, and that he learned that Tricolor do Morumbi will receive alone the trophy specially created for the first five-time Brazilian champion club, a title that São Paulo secured in advance by beating América, from Natal, 3-0, at Morumbi, this Wednesday.
According to the director, Flamengo is fighting to receive the same trophy, but its request will not be granted by the highest body in Brazilian football.
"Ricardo Teixeira called me to congratulate me on the title and to say that the fifth championship trophy is ours," said president Juvenal Juvêncio.
The CBF considers Sport to be the 1987 Brazilian champions, having won the Second Division of the Brasileirão. The clubs broke away from the CBF and created the Clube dos Treze (Thirteen Club) when Flamengo won the competition.
São Paulo launches commemorative shirts for the fifth title and mocks the red-blacks
São Paulo - After winning an unprecedented fifth Brazilian championship, São Paulo's board is preparing to launch sales of a line of commemorative shirts. The Morumbi team will win this year's Brazilian Championship trophy with four rounds to spare.
As the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) does not officially consider Flamengo as the first five-time Brazilian champion, São Paulo will have a shirt with the following saying: "Single five-time champion".
CONTROVERSY:
The CBF keeps in a safe at the headquarters of Caixa Econômica Federal a trophy specially created in the 70s to be awarded to the first club to win a fifth consecutive Brazilian championship or a third consecutive championship. Now, with São Paulo's victory, the organization has stated in recent weeks that the trophy will most likely go to the hands of São Paulo fans.
The Clube dos Treze recognizes Flamengo as the first five-time Brazilian champion, but the CBF does not. The confusion stems from the 1987 Copa União, when the clubs broke away from the CBF and organized the championship. Sport, the Second Division champion, was scheduled to face Flamengo, the Copa União champion (1-0 over Internacional). However, this matchup never took place, and the CBF considers Sport the champion that year.
At the time, all the clubs that formed the Clube dos Treze, including São Paulo, signed and agreed that Flamengo was the holder of the 87 title.
Sports Gazette
Manager criticizes Brazilian for points system\ Gazeta Press\
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - With a streak of seven wins in its last eight games, Flamengo has left the bottom of the Brazilian Championship standings and is now closing in on the top spots. Although pleased with Flamengo's campaign, vice president of football, Kléber Leite, criticized the Brazilian Championship's points-based format. If the competition were still played in its previous format, Flamengo would still have a chance of winning the title in the final stage. "I'm absolutely convinced that this format is boring. Under the old format, the championship was much more exciting and competitive. I'm sure Flamengo would be strong in the title race," stated Kléber Leite.
Under the previous format, the top eight teams competed in a knockout stage. In third place, with 55 points, the Gávea team was virtually guaranteed a spot in the final stage.
Flamengo sells tickets for last games, but STJD warns\ Gazeta Press\
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - On its official website, Flamengo announced that it began selling tickets this Thursday for its last two home games in the Brazilian Championship, against Santos and Atlético-PR, the latter of which will only take place on the 25th of this month.\ The measure generated speculation that it would be a maneuver by the red-black team to avoid having to serve a punishment of playing behind closed doors in this year's Brazilian Championship, since the club will be judged next Thursday, the 8th, for an appeal from the Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD), regarding a plastic cup thrown onto the pitch during a classic with Vasco, on September 16th.\
Flamengo will also have to face the court soon, due to problems in the game against Grêmio, on October 21, when a beer can hit one of the assistants, in addition to the throwing of a mortar onto the field.
STJD prosecutor Paulo Schimidt warned in an interview with GE.Net that the red-and-black measure of selling tickets in advance may not be effective. "Regardless of whether they sell tickets or not, clubs are only exempt from playing behind closed doors if the trial takes place less than four days before the match. For example, if the trial is on a Wednesday and the game is on a Saturday. If that were the case, everyone would sell tickets in advance to avoid punishment."
When asked if Flamengo would have to return money to its fans if a penalty is confirmed before the deadline for the club's last remaining match at Maracanã, Paulo Schimidt was indifferent. "That's Flamengo's problem. They're the ones who would have to decide what to do," said the STJD prosecutor.
In this Brazilian Championship, Flamengo has already escaped punishment for the invasion of the 'kisser' on the Maracanã pitch, in the match against Goiás, held on August 26th.
Before knowing whether or not they'll be punished, Flamengo had a few scares from its fans during its match against Corinthians this Wednesday. A disturbance in the stands, which ended up breaking one of the guardrails, resulted in many fans being trampled. Around 30 Flamengo fans were taken to the medical center after the incident. Outside the Maracanã stadium, military police also recorded fights between Flamengo and Corinthians fans.
While the problems at Maracanã are a headache for Flamengo's board, on the pitch, coach Joel Santana has other concerns for Sunday's game against Cruzeiro at Mineirão.
With three yellow cards, striker Souza is a certain outage and is expected to be replaced by Obina. In defense, Ronaldo Angelim is being closely monitored by the club's doctors after feeling unwell in the last match. If his tests reveal any problems, Angelim could make way for Rodrigo Arroz.
Satisfied with the victory, Joel wants nine more points
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - With a 2-1 victory over Corinthians, Flamengo provisionally moved into third place, and if Palmeiras and Cruzeiro stumble, they could remain in that position. Even so, Flamengo coach Joel Santana avoided commenting on his opponents in the fight for a Copa Libertadores spot, focusing instead on the Rubro-Negro's path to the end of the Brazilian Championship. This Thursday, the São Paulo team faces Juventude, while the Minas Gerais team visits Botafogo. "We already have 55 points. Regardless of the other teams' results, it's important to try to reach 64 points. To do that, we need three wins, two at home and one away," stated the Flamengo coach.
Next Sunday, the Gávea team faces Cruzeiro. After that, Flamengo hosts Santos in another crucial matchup for the top spots. In the penultimate round, Flamengo faces Atlético Paranaense at Maracanã, and on December 2nd, they conclude their campaign against Náutico at Ilha do Retiro.
The Rio de Janeiro team's response, which remained in the relegation zone for most of the first half of the season and is now in the top four, is a source of pride for Joel Santana. "We're looking from the top down in the standings, not the other way around. We're proud to be in this prestigious position for the club and its fans," he stated.
Despite the excitement of entering the top four, the coach wants his players to remain focused for the remainder of the Brasileirão so as not to lose momentum. "We got a result against a great opponent. But now we have to focus on moving forward," he concluded.
PeléNet
Joel calls for three more wins to get Flamengo into the Copa Libertadores
From the Placar Agency\ In Rio de Janeiro\
A 2-1 victory over Corinthians on Wednesday at the Maracanã Stadium brought Flamengo closer to its dream of competing in the 2008 Copa Libertadores. In a sensational comeback, Flamengo secured five consecutive victories and entered the qualifying zone for the first time. Coach Joel Santana believes that achieving this goal is just around the corner.
"We have three games to win and secure a place in the Libertadores," highlighted Natalino, already focusing on the next match, Sunday, at 16 pm (Brasília time), at Mineirão, against Cruzeiro, the direct opponent for a place in the continental competition.
After Raposa, Flamengo will face three more rivals on its path towards its dream: Santos (also a candidate for the international tournament, on the 11th, at home), Atlético-PR (on the 25th, also at home) and Náutico (on December 2nd, away).
Flamengo calls on fans in this final stretch of the Brazilian Championship
Placar Agency\ In Rio de Janeiro\
A Libertadores berth is more than a reality for Flamengo. On top of that, the Flamengo board has already invited fans to the Brazilian Championship matches against Santos and Atlético-PR, both at Maracanã. Tickets go on sale this Thursday.
The match against Santos will be played on the 11th, at 18:10 pm (Brasília time), for the 36th round. The game against Atlético-PR takes place on the 25th, for the 37th round.
79.984 tickets will be available to fans for each match, and there will be no combined purchases. Tickets will be sold at the following locations: Gávea (Flamengo), RioSampa (Nova Iguaçu), General Severiano (Botafogo), Caio Martins (Niterói), Laranjeiras (Fluminense), Loja Kappa (Barra da Tijuca), and Maracanã ticket office 8.
However, before that, this Sunday, Flamengo faces Cruzeiro, at 16 pm (Brasília time), at Mineirão, in the 35th round. The Rubro-Negro is in third place, with 55 points.
BalloonSport
Penta: Andrade and Zinho ask for a solution
Champions for Fla in 1987, former players find São Paulo's attitude disrespectful
Marcio Iannacca
Commemorative shirt of the tricolor penta is still causing a lot of controversy
São Paulo's actions in creating a shirt with the phrase "Penta Único" and the Brazilian Football Confederation, which will definitively hand over the championship trophy to Tricolor, upset former midfielders Andrade and Zinho, Brazilian champions for Flamengo in 1987. The two hope that a solution will be found, since the red-black team won the competition on the field.
For Andrade, it is a lack of respect for the athletes who participated in that campaign.
"Why don't they do a quadrangular tournament now? Just take the top two teams from Serie A and the top two from Serie B. Would São Paulo even agree to play? You're in the elite, you face the best, you're a legitimate champion, and then they change the rules. Of course we celebrate the title. It's disrespectful. You put your family on the back burner, travel for months, and then, after you achieve your goal, they change the rules. That's wrong," says Andrade, now assistant coach to Joel Santana.
According to former player Zinho, currently coach of Miami FC in the United States, Flamengo should claim the title of five-time Brazilian champion.
"This should have been resolved already. They can't take away Flamengo's merit. I don't want to take Flamengo's side, but we are the champions. They can't do this to the professionals who participated in that competition," says Zinho.
Fla plans party to remember 1987
December 13th marks 20 years since the club's fourth Brazilian title
Kléber Leite still hasn't accepted São Paulo declaring itself the only five-time champion
At a time when São Paulo proclaims itself the only five-time champion of the Brazilian Championship, Flamengo is planning a big party to celebrate winning the 1987 national title.
December 13th marks the 20th anniversary of Bebeto's 1-0 victory over Internacional. The triumph at Maracanã secured the club's fourth Brazilian title. In 1992, the team won its fifth.
Flamengo's presidency is organizing the event, but has not yet released details. The initial plan was to make a DVD recounting the history of the victory, but there wasn't enough time to produce it. Marketing director Ricardo Henrichsen, like Kléber Leite, criticized São Paulo's stance of claiming to be the first five-time champion:
"It's regrettable and inconsistent. São Paulo was the creator of the Copa União, not just a participant. We are saddened and disappointed by this inelegant stance."
In 1987, Clube dos 13 organized the Green Module with the 16 main clubs in Brazilian football. During the tournament, the CBF decided to modify the regulations and impose crossovers with clubs from the Yellow Module. Flamengo refused, and the Brazilian Confederation proclaimed Sport Recife the champion.
Kléber: 'This attitude is unethical'
Manager disapproves of shirt created by São Paulo and asks for a decision from the Club of 13
Marcio Iannacca
Kléber Leite is upset by the São Paulo board's attitude. The decision by the sportswear company that sponsors São Paulo, in agreement with the club's board, to create a commemorative shirt with the phrase "Penta Único" (Single Penthouse) was not well received in Gávea. The club's vice president of football, Kléber Leite, was outraged by the information and called the act unethical.
For the director, the Club of 13 needs to take action, since the decision to cancel the match against Sport in 1987 was made by the group, which was chaired by then-São Paulo president Carlos Miguel Aidar. The club's director is awaiting an official statement.
"If it was an action taken by São Paulo's board, it was unethical. And it's proof of disloyalty, since, at the time, the president of the Club of 13 was also president of São Paulo. It wasn't Flamengo that didn't want to play. It was a decision by the Club of 13," says the Flamengo director.
Kléber Leite went further and stated that the creation of the shirt is an "attack on the dignity" of the sport.
"It's disrespectful. The creation of this jersey is an attack on dignity. São Paulo, with a minimum of dignity, should make this very clear. Fábio Koff, president of the Club of 13, should raise the flag on his own initiative. We need to find a solution," analyzes Kléber Leite.
CBF warns: 'The cup belongs to São Paulo'
Tricolor president receives phone call from Ricardo Teixeira with promise of fifth trophy
The trophy that the CBF will give to São Paulo for its five Brazilian titles
The controversy surrounding the CBF trophy, which was to be awarded to the first five-time Brazilian champion in history, is almost over. This Thursday, one day after São Paulo won its fifth Campeonato Brasileiro, the president of the country's governing body, Ricardo Teixeira, announced the news the Tricolor fans had been waiting for: the trophy will go to São Paulo, not Flamengo.
The announcement was made by phone to club president Juvenal Juvêncio. The club's director shortly after released the two men's conversations.
- Ricardo Teixeira called me to congratulate me on the title and to say that the trophy for the fifth championship is ours - said Juvêncio, in an interview with “Jovem Pan” radio.
The confusion began weeks before São Paulo confirmed the title. Champion in 1977, 1986, 1991, and 2006, the 2007 triumph is the São Paulo club's fifth. However, Flamengo, champion in 1980, 1982, 1983, and 1992, as well as winner of the 1987 Copa União, also considers itself (and the first) five-time champion of Brazilian football. The Copa União was a movement created by Brazil's 13 major clubs, including the Tricolor and Rubro-Negro, but the CBF recognizes Sport as the national champion that year.
São Paulo fan creates replica of five-time Brazilian champion's trophy\ On Wednesday, hours before São Paulo became champions, beating América-RN 3-0 at Morumbi, the Flamengo board tried one last trick and sent a document to São Paulo's directors asking the club to give up the trophy in favor of the Rio de Janeiro team. The answer was no!\
- Ricardo Teixeira's promise is that we will receive this five-time champions' trophy along with the trophy for the 2007 victory - adds Juvenal Juvêncio.
Fla x São Paulo: war for the record
Tricolor broke its record on Wednesday. But Flamengo jokes: "It's temporary. Only a fool wouldn't know."
Eduardo Peixoto
Fla expects almost 80 thousand paying spectators in the last rounds at Maracanã
In the standings, São Paulo and Flamengo are separated by an unassailable distance. But the two are positioned as the biggest rivals in this final stretch of the Brazilian Championship when it comes to paying spectators.
Until last Wednesday, the Rio de Janeiro club held the record for attendance against Grêmio, with 63.189 paying spectators. But in the match that secured its fifth championship, the São Paulo club brought 69.874 to Morumbi Stadium to watch the victory over América-RN.
With four rounds remaining, the rivals have two more home matches. São Paulo hosts Grêmio and Botafogo. Flamengo will host Santos and Atlético-PR. For these two games, the Flamengo board has put 79.894 tickets on sale starting at 15 p.m. this Thursday.
With record attendance, São Paulo won the Brasileirão at Morumbi
"The temporary record is held by São Paulo. But in the next two games, we'll have 79 paying spectators. Only a fool wouldn't know that," says Flamengo's fundraising coordinator, Flávio Pereira.
Indeed, Maracanã is a great ally. The stadium is larger than Morumbi, and the red-and-black fans only need to do their homework to ensure a return to the top of the Brasileirão attendance rankings.
But there's also a factor hindering Flamengo: non-paying fans. While there were just over a hundred at Morumbi against América-RN, at Maracanã the average is almost ten thousand per game. However, the huge difference has an explanation.
"Maracanã doesn't belong to Flamengo. That's why there are five thousand perpetual seats, two thousand boxes... These people pay rent to Suderj and can't participate in the income. As if that weren't enough, Rio de Janeiro is the only state where children under 12 and over 65 don't pay admission. São Paulo, on the other hand, has complete control over Morumbi, which it owns," explains Flávio Pereira.
Roger: 'I've taken a lot of beatings in my life'
Player says he is not distant and prefers to celebrate with his family
Marcio Iannacca
Roger says that, on some occasions, he prefers to be isolated.
The hero of last Wednesday's match against Corinthians at Maracanã, midfielder Roger had a different day at Gávea. Congratulated by the entire group, the player defended himself when questioned about his aloofness in training and even during matches. According to him, many people unfairly accuse him, and for this reason, he prefers to be restrained in some situations.
"I live in my own little world because I've taken a lot of hits in my life. I like to celebrate, but I do it with the people I love. When I'm suffering, I tend to isolate myself. I'm not distant, I just don't like to do things in front of everyone. There are a lot of mean people who interpret things the wrong way," says the Flamengo midfielder.
Roger admitted that he has been performing in pain. He says he has been undergoing treatment daily.
"It was important for me to score that goal. I wasn't ready to play 45 minutes. Our medical team told me to go all out, go all out. I'm following our doctor's advice. I'm going with sacrifice, it hurts a little, but I'm going," says Roger, who feels pain in the back of his right thigh.
CBF will test communication system
The Confederation is studying measures to try to improve the quality of arbitration in the country.
The CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation) is concerned about the current situation of Brazilian referees, who have been the target of repeated complaints from most clubs in this Brazilian Championship. To improve the quality of the work of the men who officiate matches and, consequently, reduce errors, the organization has decided to test a communication system between referees. FIFA is also considering changes to refereeing. The initiative, unprecedented in official competitions organized by the CBF, will debut in the match between Cruzeiro and Flamengo next Sunday at the Mineirão Stadium. Six other matches will be tested in this Brazilian Championship.
The content of the conversations will be confidential. According to the organization, only the referees for each match will have access. The equipment encrypts the signal emitted by each radio communicator, making any interference or monitoring of the conversations impossible.
The radios to be used are 13 centimeters tall, 5,8 centimeters wide, and 3,5 centimeters deep, weighing just over 200 grams. They are wind and rain resistant, and the batteries last up to 19 hours.
The CBF's instruction is that referees and spectators use the devices only when matches are stopped and always after using the traditional work instruments - whistles and flags.
Precaution takes Angelim off the team
Player complains of feeling unwell, and doctors decide to remove him from Sunday's match
Marcio Iannacca
Defender Ronaldo Angelim will not be on the field next Sunday
Defender Ronaldo Angelim is out of Sunday's game against Cruzeiro at Mineirão Stadium. The player felt unwell during the match against Corinthians last Wednesday, and as a precaution, the club's doctors decided to remove him from the team.
According to Flamengo doctor Walter Martins, the player will undergo a series of tests to discover the reasons for his illness.
- We're going to do the tests and compare them with the ones Ronaldo Angelim had last year and at the beginning of the season - says the red-black doctor.
Without a fourth defender, coach Joel Santana will field defender Thiago Sales in the starting lineup. He has played three matches for the club's senior team and scored one goal.
Fla needs to do its homework, says Joel
The red-black coach says the team needs to score 64 points to reach the Libertadores
Marcio Iannacca
Joel Santana asks the red-black team to keep their feet on the ground
Blue is the color of hope, and that's a feeling that's not lacking in the Flamengo team, which is fighting for a spot in the 2008 Copa Libertadores. Blue was also the color of coach Joel Santana's shirt this Thursday at Gávea. The coach even heard a joke from vice president of football Kléber Leite about the choice.
"It's not a reference to Cruzeiro at all. It's a beautiful, vibrant blue. Like a clear blue sky," the coach joked.
Excited about Flamengo's campaign, the coach set a goal for the team to reach the Libertadores and the joy of seeing the red-and-black fans attending the stadiums.
"I told the players to forget about other people's results and just think about ourselves. We have to reach 64 points. Maybe with 63, we'll secure our spot. So, we just have to win. Now there's a pressure, but it's not quite that. Two weeks ago, we were in a difficult situation, fighting relegation, and we've improved. Of course, we're happy, but we have to keep our feet on the ground," says the coach, before becoming enthusiastic.
"It's a club that brings more fans to the stadiums with every game. We've seen children and women, and that's a great satisfaction," he says.
Washington, former Hurricane, is offered to Fla
Kléber Leite confirms contact with the player's representative, who is wanted by Flu
Marcio Iannacca
Washington can paint in Fla
Striker Washington, formerly of Atlético-PR and currently with Urawa Red Diamonds in Japan, has been offered to Flamengo by businessman Gilmar Rinaldi. Flamengo's vice president of football, Kléber Leite, confirms the information but says it's still too early to discuss the 2008 season. The player is the all-time top scorer in a Brazilian Championship. In 2004, playing for Furacão, he scored 34 goals.
According to the director, the player is of interest to Flamengo, but everything depends on the approval of coach Joel Santana, who will only begin planning for next season on Monday, when a meeting will be held at Gávea. Fluminense is also in the running.
"There was an offer from the player's agent. According to the agent, Washington wants to play for Flamengo. I expressed interest, but everything will be decided by Joel. On Monday, we'll talk about 2008," Kléber Leite revealed over the phone to GLOBOESPORTE.COM.
The manager even guaranteed the coach's permanence next season
Fla will have its own chain of stores
Club announces partnership this Thursday to spread its brand across the country
Red-and-black fans will be able to buy official products in stores across Brazil
Flamengo fans will have their own store to buy merchandise. This Thursday, the marketing department announced a partnership with Roxos e Fanáticos to open club-themed stores.
The first store will open in early 2008 in Rio de Janeiro. The neighborhood has not yet been chosen. The idea, however, is to open franchises throughout Brazil. But with discretion. By 2010, there should be 18 stores.
- Flamengo has an obligation to reach its fans - says Fla's marketing director, Ricardo Heinrichsen.
The model store will be 300m² and, in addition to selling products, will offer a space for customers to host promotional events. There will also be vehicles for selling official products in remote locations, such as cities in the interior of the Northeast region.
Flamengo fans respond to Tricolor on Orkut
Rubro-Negros create a version of their shirt on the social networking site and provoke their rival
Flamengo fans did not forgive the attitude of São Paulo's board, which created a shirt with the phrase "Penta Único" in honor of winning the 2007 Brazilian Championship. Hours after the release of the uniform, created by the sponsor of the São Paulo team, the red-blacks made a version to celebrate the Rio de Janeiro team's fifth championship, won in 1992.
In a thread created on Orkut, an online social networking site, fans are asking for support from Nike, the company that sponsors Flamengo, to begin production of the shirt, designed by an anonymous Flamengo fan.
In Gávea this Thursday, the club's vice president of football, Kléber Leite, was angered by the São Paulo board's attitude. According to the director, the Club of 13 needs to take a position on the matter as soon as possible.
"It's unfair. It was a request from the Club of 13, which at the time was presided over by a director who was president of São Paulo. That's why Flamengo didn't play in that competition," says Kléber Leite.
Former players Andrade and Zinho, champions with Flamengo in 1987, felt it was disrespectful to the athletes who participated in that campaign. Coach Joel Santana's assistant, for example, vented his frustrations.
- Let's bring together the 2007 champion and runner-up to compete in a quadrangular with the top two teams from Série B. Will São Paulo accept? - asks Andrade.
Throw
STJD says advance sale does not absolve Fla
If it is a strategy to avoid losing control, the club could be indicted.
Fred Gomes RIO DE JANEIRO
The initiative to sell advance tickets for the games against Santos and Atlético Paranaense does not absolve Flamengo of a possible punishment to the club due to the acts of indiscipline of a fan in the game against Vasco, on September 16, and against Grêmio, on the 21st. Who guarantees this is Paulo Schmitt, attorney general of the Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD), who also warns that any strategy to avoid losing home field advantage can be judged as fraud.
"Regardless of whether or not tickets were put on sale, no club is exempt from punishment if convicted by the court. At most, they can escape punishment if the trial is held five days before a match. For example, if a club plays on Sunday and the trial is held on Wednesday, and if convicted, the punishment only applies to the following game," he explains.
Schimtt also adds that if the advance sale promoted by the Gávea club is a strategy to evade sanctions, the club could be tried for fraud.
However, it's worth noting that the club's official statement regarding the sales indicates that Flamengo's sole objective with this sale is to break new attendance records, something that has been commonplace in this year's Brasileirão. Until Wednesday, the 63.189 paying spectators who watched the 2-0 victory over Grêmio guaranteed the club the largest attendance in the championship. But in São Paulo's 3-0 victory over América de Natal, which secured the Tricolor Paulista its fifth Brazilian title, 69.874 paying spectators put the Morumbi club in the lead.
The trial in the case involving the 1-1 draw between Flamengo and Vasco da Gama on October 16th, when a fan threw a glass of water onto the pitch, will be held on November 8th, three days before the match between the Gávea club and Santos. Therefore, if punished, the club will still be able to face the Vila Belmiro club at Maracanã. In the Clássico dos Milhões case, Flamengo had already been acquitted, but the Third Disciplinary Committee's Prosecutor's Office appealed.
Regarding the can thrown at one of Sálvio Spinola's assistants in the 2-0 victory over Grêmio, on the 21st, the trial has not yet been scheduled.
Roberto Assaf explains why Flamengo is five times champion
L! columnist says CBF made a mistake in choosing the 1987 champion
Opinion - Roberto Assaf
The Copa União was the first successful rebellion led by the country's top clubs against the CBF's overreach. Having failed in its goal of establishing a national championship with more than 20 clubs, the organization was forced to promote another one, with the team that had been left out of the competition. Envious, it decided to weigh in, to prove—or at least try to prove—who had the power.
Thus, after five rounds of the Copa União had already been played, the CBF imposed the much-talked-about crossover: the top two teams from the Copa União, which the organization began calling the Green Module, with the top two teams from the other championship, which it dubbed the Yellow Module. The winner of the quadrangular, the CBF announced, would be the Brazilian champion. The directors of the clubs competing in the Copa União refused to comply with the ruling, especially since the competition was not organized by the organization.
The Copa União, which began in September, continued normally until December, as did the aforementioned championship sponsored by the CBF. The Copa União final, as we know, was played between Flamengo and Internacional. The match ended in a 1-1 draw at Beira-Rio Stadium. At Maracanã, Flamengo won 1-0. On the same day, December 13, 1987, Sport and Guarani decided the title of the so-called Yellow Module. In the first game, held in Campinas on December 6, 1987, Guarani won 2-0. In the return match, on the 13th, in Recife, Sport came back to win. Extra time was necessary, but the match ended 0-0. The two clubs went to a penalty shootout, which ended 11-11. The presidents of Sport, Homero Lacerda, and Guarani, Leonel Martins de Oliveira, took the field and agreed to share the title. They shook hands and communicated the fact to the referee from Maranhão, Josenildo Santos, who declared the game over.
On Thursday, January 21, 1988, CND president Manoel Tubino publicly declared that Flamengo, not Sport and Guarani, were the legitimate 1987 Brazilian champions. His argument clashed with that of the CBF's governing body, Otávio Pinto Guimarães and Nabi Abi Chedid. The duo were notorious enemies of Flamengo president Márcio Braga, thus providing yet another compelling reason to continue imposing the crossover. In reality, by this point, there would already be six clubs competing in the quadrangular, given that Bangu and Atlético-PR, eliminated respectively by Sport and Guarani in the Yellow Module semifinals, never made it to the finals. Yes, there should have been a runner-up, since Sport and Guarani shared the title—remember?
But the fact is that Sport and Guarani fulfilled the quadrangular schedule and reached the final of what the CBF called the Brazilian Championship. The first game, held in Campinas on January 31, 1988, ended in a 1-1 draw. In the second, on February 7, in Recife, Sport won 1-0. And the CBF proclaimed them champions.
Thus, the official 1987 champion, the CBF champion, became Sport. It would have been. If Atlético-PR and Bangu had decided who would be the runner-up, and if one of them, holding that title, had also participated in the decision, given that the Yellow Module title—remember—was shared between Sport and Guarani. If there are two champions, there must be a runner-up.
Well, only those lacking a modicum of common sense would prefer to keep repeating that Flamengo's title wasn't worth it. It's curious: practically everything the CBF does is criticized. And only when it comes to the issue of the 1987 Brazilian Championship—or Brazilian Championships—do they insist on agreeing with the organization.
Now, if what they call official is valid, why not defend the title that Vila Nova de Minas won by winning the 1971 Second Division, the first year the CBF made the Brazilian Championship official? Vila Nova won the championship and was summarily expelled from the First Division in 1972. As you can see, the organization slipped up in the first year of official championships.
Roberto Assaf is a columnist for LANCE!
Maxi celebrates the victory and praises Roger
The player was replaced by the scorer of the red-black comeback goal against Timão
The exit from the middle-