The Globe
Zico says São Paulo's ambition is 'a joke'
Fla sends notification demanding that the São Paulo club not receive the fifth World Cup trophy
One of the members of the red-and-black team that won the Copa União-87, Zico criticized São Paulo yesterday for fueling the dispute that the São Paulo club has been having with Flamengo for the title of first five-time Brazilian champion.
"I think this whole story about São Paulo being the first five-time champion is a complete farce. Not for the club, which has won titles on the field and deserves all the respect for winning this year handily. The problem is that this mess, as usual, was created by the directors, and the São Paulo team's directors are fueling this nonsense."
Zico remembers that the Club of 13 did not accept the crossover between the champion and runner-up of the green and yellow modules of the 1987 Copa União. Faced with the controversy, the CBF proclaimed Sport champion and the Club of 13 proclaimed Flamengo.
"Everyone knows that the CBF doesn't recognize Flamengo because of political infighting. At the time, there was a fight between the CBF and the Clube dos 13, which had the president of São Paulo as its coordinator. This fight led to this. The top two teams in the First Division would have to play against the teams in the Second. And Guarani and Sport still played a sham final," criticized Zico.
Joel has a practical solution: a trophy for each club
Flamengo made another attempt to win the dispute yesterday: it sent a document to São Paulo, signed by legal director Michel Assef Filho, notifying the São Paulo club that it would not receive the trophy for its first five-time Brazilian champion. Or, if it did, that it would deliver it to its Gávea headquarters, located at 997 Avenida Borges de Medeiros. Undeterred by the notification, São Paulo's directors treated the request as a joke. Soccer superintendent Marco Aurélio Cunha quipped:
"We won't accept Flamengo's request. According to the CBF, the five-time Brazilian champion is São Paulo. So, there's no discussion. This is, at most, a suggestion. We can't take it as a notification. Why didn't they request this in 1992?"
Given the situation, Flamengo will notify Clube dos 13, demanding that president Fábio Koff enter the dispute and defend the club.
"Fábio Koff is playing dead. He has to take a stand, and the right one is in favor of Flamengo. I hope he does so soon because I'm going to suggest we abandon the Club of 13," said Kleber Leite, vice president of football.
Coach Joel Santana, with a simplistic view of the situation, offered a very practical suggestion for addressing this controversy. Since the discussion promises to last a long time, the red-and-black coach pointed out the path that he considers conciliatory and the most sensible:
"Since this story is likely to end in court, the solution would be to award a trophy to each club. Then the discussion would end."
It is clear that Joel is more concerned with Flamengo's lineup and the tough game he expects tomorrow against Cruzeiro, in Belo Horizonte, a match in which he will be without Ronaldo Angelim, who is ruled out, and Souza, who is suspended - Thiago Sales and Obina will be the substitutes.
After the red-black team's rise, due to the unprecedented sequence of five consecutive victories under his command, other situations began to bother the coach: the change in focus in the demands that he and the team began to suffer and the atmosphere of hubbub:
"Why the fuss? We haven't done anything yet. We have to win two games at home and one away to reach the goal we're starting to envision now. Until 15 days ago, we were being trashed. We were at sea level and finally got our heads above water when we reached 48 points. So, the focus has changed: now we have to reach the Copa Libertadores. Is that easy?
Beyond the immediate future, Joel begins to think about the near future on Tuesday. He meets with Kleber Leite to renew his contract and outline the 2008 squad. Of the current group, striker Leonardo is out, and Jaílton and Luizinho are practically packed, as is Cristian. Goalkeeper Diego, if offered a deal, will be released. The biggest challenge is to retain valued starters like Bruno, Renato Augusto, Juan, Souza, and Fábio Luciano. The big question is: will Roger stay?
Flamengo received an invitation from Dubai, but the pre-season is scheduled from January 5th to 30th, at Granja Comary, in Teresópolis.
FUTSAL ROUND
Flamengo defeated Piedade 9-4 yesterday at the Piedade gymnasium in the State Futsal Championship. The red-and-black goals were scored by Élcio (3), Anthony, Sixel, Panásio, Gabriel, Otávio and Dudu. In Cabo Frio, also in yesterday's round, Cabo Frio defeated Macaé 4-2. In Group B of the competition, Cabo Frio leads with 22 points, followed by Flamengo (20).
Sports Journal
Andrade proposes a peaceful solution
While Zico believes the trophy for the fifth Brazilian championship rightfully belongs to Flamengo, the opinion within the club is no different. Yesterday, Joel Santana's current assistant coach, Andrade, who was part of the 1987 team, defended the title, but at the end of the interview, he tried to find a way to defuse the controversy.
"We were the champions. We only competed against First Division teams. Tell São Paulo to play a four-legged match today with the Second Division teams to see if they accept. The cup is ours or, at most, it has to be shared," argued Andrade, who formed the midfield with Aílton and Zico.
At the time, the CBF proposed that Fla, Inter, Sport and Guarani compete in a quadrangular, from which the Brazilian champion of the season would emerge.
In the OPG Tournament, Flamengo takes on Estácio de Sá
In the eighth round of the Octavio Pinto Guimarães Tournament (OPG), Flamengo's youth team faces Estácio de Sá in Curicica today at 10 am. With six wins and only one loss, Flamengo leads Group A by a wide margin. Their opponents are in fourth place with 10 points. Midfielder Vander, who is suspended, will be replaced by William Amendoim. Kayke and Vinícius Colombiano, who are already training with the seniors, will reinforce the team.
Kléberson dreams of the Libertadores
Flamengo's board has already begun looking for names to strengthen the team for next year, but so far the only guaranteed signing for the 2008 season is midfielder Kléberson. The five-time champion, who arrived at the club after a complicated termination with his former club, Besiktas of Turkey, told JORNAL DOS SPORTS that he is very happy with his teammates' campaign and commented on the difficulty of competing in the Copa Libertadores.
"I'm happy with my team, the group is doing very well. I participated in the Libertadores with Atlético-PR, it's a tough competition, but it's good because the club and the players are more visible," said the midfielder, who is confident that Flamengo will qualify for the competition.
"We know it's difficult to get there, but we have a good group here. If they make it, it will be the result of the serious work that Joel is doing here," said the player.
Kléberson's situation with Besiktas remains with FIFA. The Turkish club said the player failed to fulfill his contract until the end, but the player claims the two reached an agreement. Therefore, in February, Kléberson will have a hearing with FIFA to resolve the issue, but according to the club's lawyer, Michel Assef Filho, Kléberson will have to pay a fine to Besiktas at most.
"I'll play for Flamengo next year. I just didn't play this year because I was signed after the registration period. We could even try to file an injunction, but we thought it best to wait until next year. I have a FIFA hearing in February, but I'm sure it won't stop me from playing here," Kléberson explained.
Thiago Sales not afraid of Mineirão
At yesterday's training session at Gávea Stadium, Joel Santana confirmed the team that will face Cruzeiro tomorrow at Mineirão Stadium. With striker Souza suspended and defender Ronaldo Angelim out, ruled out by the medical department, the coach put his favorite Obina up front and fielded young Thiago Sales (pictured) alongside Fábio Luciano in defense.
Thiago Sales, who will play at Mineirão for the first time, said he was waiting for the opportunity and that if the team knows how to play the right way, they could even make Raposa fans play against their own team.
"I've been training and was just waiting for this opportunity. We know Cruzeiro is a great team, so we have to play intelligently. If we play like this and mark them well, the fans might get angry and start booing them," said the defender, who has the formula for stopping Cruzeiro's fast attack.
"The important thing is to mark them closely. We can't leave them any space to receive a through ball," said Thiago Sales.
Yesterday's training session was attended by many fans who carried banners and rehearsed the new song that will be sung in the match against Santos. The new song was based on the music of the Carnaby Street Pop Orchestra and is the theme song for Rede Globo's Esporte Espetacular.
"Give it, give it, give it oh / Give it, give it, give it Flamengo / Give it, give it oh oh oh / Give it, give it Flamengo! / I'm Flamengo until I die / No matter what happens / Play wherever... / I'm always by your side!"
Coach Joel Santana was moved to tears when he saw the fans celebrating at Gávea.
"I'm proud to see the fans singing, shouting and holding banners. We're here to make the fans happy and they're happy with victories," he added.
The Rooster buys the noise
One of those responsible for the 1987 national title, Zico says the trophy belongs in Gávea
Nathan de Lima and Thiago Bokel
Zico today in two moments after winning the Brazilian title in 1987
So, who should ultimately retain the five-time Brazilian champion's trophy? São Paulo or Flamengo? The controversy surrounding the trophy's fate has crossed the Atlantic and reached Turkey. Yesterday, the club's greatest idol, Zico, currently in charge of Fenerbahce, decided to speak out. And, as expected, he stated that the trophy belongs in Gávea.
Flamengo has already sent a notice to the São Paulo club, asserting its right to be the rightful holder of the trophy (see the official statement below). Even so, São Paulo's football superintendent, Marco Aurélio Cunha, rejected any possibility of an agreement. Irritated by the turn of events, the eternal No. 10 from Gávea gave his opinion.
"This is a complete joke. Not because of São Paulo, who won five titles on the field, but because of the confusion created by the directors, who are feeding this ridiculous idea. There was a fight at the time between the Club of 13, which had a president from São Paulo as its coordinator, and the CBF, which led to this controversy of the first division champion having to play the second division champion. It's complete nonsense and a lack of respect for the fans," Zico raged.
There's a logic to this resentment from the Galinho. Winning the Copa União was his last major title for Flamengo, despite the fact that he wasn't able to participate frequently in the competition, as he was rested for less important matches due to a serious knee injury suffered two years earlier. Even so, Zico participated in memorable matches, such as the semifinal against Atlético-MG at Mineirão, which the Rubro-Negro won 3-2, scoring the first goal. There was also the match against Santa Cruz at Maracanã, which secured Flamengo's place in the duel against the Minas Gerais team. Flamengo won 3-0, with three goals from the eternal number 10 from Gávea, including a memorable one, a perfect free kick.
Pen stroke\ After criticizing São Paulo, Zico delved deeper into the fight between Flamengo and the CBF.\
"Everyone already knows why the CBF didn't declare Flamengo the 1987 champion. There's a political dispute with the club's current board. But we, who participated in that campaign, who sweated our socks off and defeated very tough opponents, know what we achieved. That's what matters, not a stroke of the pen from someone who tried to change history and never brought any benefit to football," he vented.
Joel ignores Cruzeiro's poor form and the opposing fans
Despite Flamengo's good form, the team's coach, Joel Santana, is realistic about the team's next match, against Cruzeiro, this Sunday at Mineirão Stadium. The coach also ignores the defeat suffered by his opponent in the last game (4-1, against Botafogo) and the Cruzeiro fans.
"Before the game against Botafogo, we already knew that Cruzeiro would be tough. But we'll try to put on a great performance, ignoring their fans, who are expected to turn out in large numbers," said Joel Santana.
With his feet firmly on the ground, the coach prefers to avoid talking about luck. Joel highlights the work of the red-and-black team and doesn't want to rely on other results to keep Flamengo in the top four.
"I don't believe in luck. In football, unexpected things happen, and the important thing is not to lose focus, because we have to earn nine points in four matches. If we don't win, no result will help," said the coach.
Right-back Leonardo Moura agrees with the team manager. He believes the team must focus solely on winning.
"It's good that luck has returned. Now we need to do our part," said the fullback.
Defender Tiago Sales is expected to replace Ronaldo Angelim, who is ruled out for the match against Cruzeiro.
Fla sends notification to São Paulo, asking for the fifth championship trophy
Flamengo sent a notice to São Paulo this Friday requesting the trophy for its fifth Brazilian championship and emphasizing that no club affiliated with the Club of 13 can receive the trophy. The document, signed by the club's legal director, Michel Assef Filho, states that the trophy should be delivered to the Gávea club, as Flamengo is the first team to win all five national titles.
The notification also asks that São Paulo deliver the trophy to Flamengo's headquarters in Gávea, if it receives the CBF trophy.
Diego has the last challenge of the year
Diego Hypolito's 2007 international season is coming to an end. The Brazilian gymnast, who won every floor competition this year (Pan American Games, World Pre-Olympic Championships, World Cup, Super Final, and Morges Tournament), will be one of the attractions tomorrow at the Swiss Cup in Zurich, Switzerland.
In addition to fighting for medals in apparatus and in the individual all-around, Diego Hypólito, from Flamengo, will participate, starting at 10 am (Brasília time), in the doubles competition, alongside his sister Daniele.
"I hope that the city of Zurich, where Brazil was confirmed by FIFA this week as the host country for the 2014 World Cup, brings me a lot of luck," said Diego, who could win his fourth gold medal on the floor in just one week.
The two-time world champion explained the rules of the doubles tournament, which will feature the participation of 11 countries, including Italy, Russia, Romania and the United States.
"In the first phase, each gymnast will have to choose two apparatuses. The top eight pairs will advance to the next phase," explained the Flamengo gymnast, a Pan American hero.
Flamengo and Cabo Frio win in the round
Two matches in the State Futsal Championship marked the All Souls' Day holiday. Flamengo went to Piedade and thrashed the local team 9-4. The red-and-blacks scored goals from Dudu, Panázio, Hélcinho (3), Sixel (2), Victor and Gabriel. Maurição (3) and Bazuka scored for the home team.
"It was a calm game. We had a good lead in the first half (4-0), and during the second period we just had to manage it. It was very hot in the gym, so we slowed down a bit," said Flamengo coach Cid Escarlate.
The victory secured the red-and-blacks' second place. With no risk of being overtaken, they'll travel to Cabo Frio next week to face Drogaria do Povo, who are already out of contention. Piedade, also eliminated, will face leaders Cabo Frio.
The team from the Lagos Region also won yesterday. They hosted Macaé and defeated their rivals 4-2, with goals from Daniel (3) and Eli. Léo and Róbson scored Macaé's goals. Both teams have already qualified for the quarterfinals. Macaé's opponent in the final round will be América, also guaranteed a spot in the finals as fourth-place team in Group B.
Flamengo hosts Volta Redonda in Gávea
Point guard Hélio has been playing well and helping with the distribution of Fla's plays. Archive/JS
The second round of the State Basketball Championship begins today for the undefeated leader Flamengo. Flamengo hosts Volta Redonda at 15 p.m. at the Hélio Maurício gymnasium in Gávea.
With Vasco's loss to Macaé, the Gávea club became the only undefeated team. And this position only makes the players more motivated. But winger Marcelinhos knows his team will need to be cautious, as any oversight could end their unbeaten streak.
"We're going in looking for a win. Volta Redonda isn't having a good campaign, but they're a good team and need a result. We're playing at home and we need to impose ourselves," he said.
On Voltaço's side, coach Marcelo Goroba has a question mark. Since his team will play tomorrow against Campos, a theoretically weaker opponent than today's, he's unsure whether to field a full-strength squad.
"Flamengo is very strong. Since we have more chances against Campos, I'm thinking of using tomorrow's match more as preparation for Sunday."
FLAMENGO: Duda, Marcelinho, Fernando Mineiro, Alírio and Coloneze.\ Coach: Paulo Chupeta.\
VOLTA REDONDA: Fabrício, Helinho, Gilberto, Dagobel and Thiago.\ Coach: Marcelo Goroba.\
Pacifier is full of praise for the team\ As the classic between Flamengo and Vasco was postponed until the 21st, Rubro-negro finished the first round as the best team in the championship.\
Coach Paulo Chupeta is one of the most excited about the team's good form. So much so that he heaped praise on his players and attributed the team's strong results to them.
"The team is getting better and better. It's very gratifying to see that the players are absorbing my messages. The difficulties at the beginning of the championship have been overcome. The group has picked up the pace of the game and is now complete, with several quality athletes. In fact, this is what sets Flamengo apart. We have a squad like no other," said the proud coach.
Iata Anderson
"Roger is sinister," I heard from a teenager after the comeback against Corinthians, with a goal only a star can score; it requires a lot of class. I see the Flamengo midfielder as the greatest talent to emerge from Rio, after Zico. He's struggling, that's another matter. Why, it's not for me to answer; I didn't sign him, but I would gladly do so. I don't believe in clichés like "he plays whenever he wants," because, as a football fan, I've never seen anyone take the field to play football, professional or not, without desire. "Oh, it's the women," he should manage those relationships, preferably with both. The ball and the woman, of course. The rest is just blah, blah, blah; the guy plays great.
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I received many emails after praising Flamengo's fans. I'll repeat: it was the greatest spectacle of the season, like São Paulo's acclaimed campaign, far outdoing the crowd. "They're thugs, they fight outside," was the tone of the criticism. At no point did I condone, nor will I ever do so, the behavior of fans, of any team, outside the stadium. I spoke of the celebration that Tricolor and Vasco fans also held, to a lesser extent, for Flamengo's increased number of games and victories, but congratulations to everyone who restored order at Maracanã.
O Dia
Zico: This story about São Paulo being the first fifth title is a joke
Luciano Paiva
Rio – "This story about São Paulo being the first five-time Brazilian champion is a complete farce." This is how Zico, Flamengo's biggest fan favorite, reacted when commenting on a controversy that had been dormant since 1987. After the Tricolor do Morumbi secured this year's Brazilian title early, São Paulo officials proclaimed themselves the only club with five national titles.
Direct from Türkiye, in an email interview answered on Thursday night to O DIA ONLINE, the current Fenerbahce coach blamed the management for all the blame for the confusion.
"I think it's a joke. Not because of the title or because of São Paulo, which won the titles and deserves all the respect because it won this year handily. The problem is that this mess, for a change, was created by the club's directors, and now the São Paulo club's directors are fueling this nonsense," Galinho said indignantly. He then recalled the incident.
"Remember that at the time, there was a fight between Clube dos Treze, whose coordinator was the president of São Paulo, and the CBF. This fight off the field led to this: a team that won the first division having to play against a team from the second. And Guarani and Sport also played a phony final. So, I think it's all nonsense. Everyone knows that the CBF doesn't recognize Flamengo due to political disputes, especially between Ricardo Teixeira and Marcio Braga. But we, the players, not the directors, won the '87 title on the field, with sweat, defeating several opponents and Internacional, a great rival, in the final, and that's what matters. The fans know it, the press knows it. Titles are won on the field, not by the stroke of a pen by people who made history in football by changing regulations and adopting attitudes that almost never benefited football," said Zico.
THE REACTION OF THE RUBRO-NEGRO IN 2007
In addition to commenting on current affairs, Galinho took the opportunity to analyze Flamengo's surprising growth in the second half of the Brasileirão. He believes the arrivals of Ibson and coach Joel Santana have changed the team's complexion.
"There's no doubt that the signing of Ibson, Fabio Luciano, and the arrival of Joel Santana were important. However, I think Flamengo needs to always be fighting for a title, and this championship has been very inconsistent. I don't know if Flamengo will reach next year's Copa Libertadores, but if that happens, it requires good planning and the formation of a strong group before the competition begins, not during it," he commented.
Regarding the participation of Botafogo, Fluminense and Vasco in this Brasileirão, Zico stated that he expected a little more from Rio de Janeiro football in the competition.
"The same thing I said about Flamengo applies to everyone. Traditional teams are content with a Libertadores spot, avoiding relegation. I think all Rio de Janeiro fans, given the fan base they have, the achievements they've achieved, need to think big, always aiming for titles. And unfortunately, that's not what I saw," he concluded.
Sports Gazette
After 20 years, the 1987 Brasileirão still causes confusion
Jorge Corrêa, special for GE.Net
São Paulo (SP) - Just when everyone thought one of the most controversial chapters in Brazilian football was over, it resurfaced 20 years later, more heated than ever. After São Paulo won its fifth national title, it demanded the "Taça das Bolinhas" (Little Balls Cup), created by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) when the competition was created in its current format in 1971. According to the rules at the time, the Cup would go definitively to the team that won three consecutive titles or won the tournament five times alternately. This controversy, however, returned to the streets and club boardrooms, so long after. Flamengo fans were reportedly organizing on a social networking site and fan blogs to promote a march in Rio de Janeiro – which would be attended by famous former players and Flamengo fans – against the CBF, demanding that Brazilian football's governing body recognize Flamengo's national title.
Unaware of this controversy, the CBF has already stated that the trophy will go to São Paulo, but has not officially decided on the date of the award ceremony. Key figures from 1987 have spoken out on the matter again. Currently in charge of Atlético-MG, Emerson Leão – who made his coaching debut with Sport in that tournament – finds Flamengo's mobilization absurd. "This whole situation is ridiculous. What happened on the field must be maintained. What was agreed must be honored. It's ridiculous for a team to want to change a regulation 20 years later," the former goalkeeper told GE.Net.
Even Zico, coach of Turkey's Fenerbahce and Flamengo's star player at the time, decided to speak out on the matter. "Everyone knows that the CBF doesn't recognize Flamengo due to political disputes. But we players, not the directors, won the 1987 title on the field, through sweat, defeating several opponents and Internacional, a great rival, in the final, and that's what matters," said "Galinho" in an interview with the newspaper O Dia.
The whole confusion begins with the 1987 Brazilian Championship, when Sport and Flamengo won, respectively, the Yellow Module and the Green Module that year, but the CBF ended up recognizing only the Pernambuco team as the winner because the Rio de Janeiro team refused to face the finalists of the other module.
"São Paulo will simply follow the regulations from when the Brazilian Championship was created in 1971. We recognize that the Copa União was as important as the Brazilian Championship, but legally and in honor of our fans, the trophy is ours and it will remain at Morumbi, with great joy," explains João Paulo de Jesus Lopes, special advisor to the president of the São Paulo team.
However, Flamengo, based on the agreement made at the time of the controversy, asked São Paulo, in an official letter sent to the club's president, that the São Paulo club refuse to accept the trophy, and if it does, that it send it to Gávea. According to the Rio de Janeiro club, the Clube dos 13, which ran the Copa União and was led by São Paulo's president at the time, Carlos Miguel Aidar, recognized Flamengo as the sole Brazilian champion of 1987.
“For this reason, despite knowing that this procedure would not be necessary, given that Your Excellency (president of São Paulo, Juvenal Juvêncio) is an honorable man and a true gentleman, and given the close relationship between the clubs, Flamengo hereby notifies São Paulo to refrain from receiving the trophy for winning five Brazilian championships, or, if it does, to arrange for the immediate delivery of the aforementioned trophy to Gávea, the only place where it can legitimately be displayed,” says the Flamengo letter.
Although the CBF has not confirmed it, the "Touça das Bolinhas" (Little Ball Cup) is expected to be presented to São Paulo at the official awards ceremony following the match against Grêmio on November 11th, in the 36th round of the Brazilian Championship, when the team returns to Morumbi Stadium for the first time since mathematically winning its fifth national title. Behind the scenes, however, the organization fears a revolt among Flamengo fans.
Understand the story – Dissatisfied with the CBF, the main Brazilian football clubs created the Clube dos 13, an entity that would represent them and command a football league independent of the entity and that would replace the Brazilian Championship, starting in 1987. Then the Copa União was created, with Atlético-MG, Bahia, Botafogo, Coritiba, Corinthians, Cruzeiro, Flamengo, Fluminense, Goiás, Grêmio, Internacional, Palmeiras, Santos, Santa Cruz, São Paulo and Vasco.
At the same time, the CBF also held its own Brazilian Championship, the so-called Yellow Module, which included Atlético-GO, Atlético-PR, Bangu, Criciúma, CSA-AL, Ceará, Guarani, Internacional-SP, Joinville, Náutico, Portuguesa, Rio Branco-ES, Sport, Treze, and Vitória. América-RJ was included but withdrew from the competition because it did not agree to be in the Yellow Module. Seeking to quell the disagreement, the CBF proposed that the champions of each tournament face off to determine the Brazilian champion.
The confusion worsened when Sport and Guarani were playing in the Yellow Module final, with each team winning one of their matches. Thus, the match went into overtime, where the match ended in a goalless draw. In the penalty shootout, both teams decided to stop taking alternate shots when the score was tied at 11-11. The "Club of 13" then abandoned the proposal to play the final against the winner of the CBF tournament and declared Flamengo the Brazilian champion, after defeating Internacional in the Copa União final.
Still trying to avoid this problem, the CBF created a quadrangular tournament to be played in January 1988 between the top two teams from both tournaments, which Flamengo and Internacional rejected. Even so, the organization maintained the competition with only Guarani and Sport, and the Pernambuco team became Brazilian champions in 1987, at least according to the CBF, by drawing the first leg 1-1 and winning the decisive match 1-0, with a goal from defender Marco Antônio.
Thiago Salles hopes to help Flamengo beat Cruzeiro
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - With Ronaldo Angelim out, ruled out by the medical department, defender Thiago Salles has been given a chance to start in Flamengo's starting lineup. Excited about the opportunity against Cruzeiro, the player showed character. "I'm ready for the game. I've been working hard, and I'll try to do my best. Cruzeiro is a great team, but we're going after the win in Minas Gerais," the defender declared.
The young player also took the opportunity to share his recipe for securing the three points at Mineirão Stadium. "I'm very confident that I'll do my best on the field. We have to play intelligently, closing the gaps, to hinder Cruzeiro's fast attack," he stated.
With a win this weekend, Flamengo will remain in third place in the Brazilian Championship, within the Copa Libertadores qualifying zone. Cruzeiro, another team fighting for a spot in the top four, is in fifth place.
Flamengo negotiates Joel's renewal and targets Washington\ Gazeta Press\
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - On Tuesday, Flamengo's vice president of football, Kléber Leite, is scheduled to meet with coach Joel Santana. The agenda includes the coach's contract renewal and the formation of the 2008 squad. One of the possible reinforcements would be striker Washington, who is also of interest to rival Fluminense. The retention of players like Roger and Leonardo, whose contracts expire at the end of the year, was also discussed at the meeting.
Marketing Partnership – Off the field, Flamengo's marketing department announced a partnership with Roxos e Doentes, which includes the construction of club-themed stores. The first is scheduled to open next year in Rio de Janeiro and will feature 350 items related to the red-and-black club.
"This is the most comprehensive partnership in the country, encompassing stores, franchises, mobile stores, and kiosks, among other initiatives. Finally, the largest chain of stores specializing in soccer in the country is joining forces with Brazil's biggest club," said Ricardo Hinrichsen, the club's marketing director.
With an investment of approximately R$800, Flamengo has ambitious plans for the near future. "The expectation is that within three years, in an optimistic scenario, Flamengo will have more than 18 stores spread across Brazil," commented Ricardo.
Hero, Roger feels pain and remains on the Fla bench\ Gazeta Press\
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - The hero of the last match, when he came off the bench to score his first goal for Flamengo and secure a comeback victory over Corinthians, midfielder Roger is expected to be left on the bench for this Sunday's match against Cruzeiro at Mineirão Stadium. The player himself admits that he is not yet fit enough to play 90 minutes. "I still have a little pain, but doctor José Luiz Runco says it's normal. Let's see if I can play again for 20, 30 minutes and help Flamengo again," said the midfielder.
Even though he is still working to fully recover his fitness and earn another chance among the starters, Roger celebrates Flamengo's reaction in the Brazilian Championship, in which the team is in third place, in the qualifying zone for the Copa Libertadores.
"We're fully in the mix. Flamengo is a team that's just arriving, and that's why we're growing at this crucial moment in the competition. Our opponents are showing us much more respect," commented Roger.
Ronaldo Angelim will not face Cruzeiro\ Gazeta Press\
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - In addition to striker Souza, who will serve an automatic suspension, Flamengo will have another player missing for this Sunday's match against Cruzeiro at Mineirão Stadium. After feeling ill during the match against Corinthians, defender Ronaldo Angelim has been ruled out – Flamengo doctors are awaiting the results of some tests to determine what caused the defender's illness. "Runco and I decided to sideline the player to find some explanation for his symptoms. He should complete the tests on Monday. If everything goes well, we'll clear him to return," doctor Walter Martins told Rádio Brasil.
Without Ronaldo Angelim, coach Joel Santana has already decided to pair young Thiago Salles with captain Fábio Luciano. Thiago won the battle with Rodrigo Arroz by playing on the same wing as Angelim. Otherwise, Obina's entry should be the only other change in the team for the match against Raposa.
This Saturday morning, Flamengo's squad will train at Estádio Independência in Belo Horizonte. The group returns to Rio de Janeiro late Sunday night and has Monday off. Suspended striker Souza will take the weekend off to treat an Achilles tendon problem.
PeléNet
Flamengo insists and gives São Paulo an address to send the trophy
From UOL Esporte\ In São Paulo\
The controversy surrounding who is the first five-time Brazilian champion continues to stir the teams involved, especially Flamengo. This Friday, the red-and-black club sent a letter to São Paulo regarding the matter.
The cup involved in the controversy is made up of 156 spheres, one of which is solid gold.
Signed by the legal director, Michel Asseff Filho, the document formalizes the position that São Paulo is not the first five-time champion and therefore cannot receive the spheres trophy, created to be awarded to the first three-time consecutive champion or alternating five-time champion.
In the note, Flamengo appeals to the tricolor president Juvenal Juvêncio, whom it calls an "honorable man and true gentleman", so that, if he receives the CBF trophy, he sends it directly to Flamengo's headquarters.
The Rio de Janeiro club requests "the immediate delivery of the aforementioned trophy in Gávea, at Avenida Borges de Medeiros, nº 997, Rio de Janeiro, the only place where it can legitimately be displayed".
São Paulo, in turn, has repeatedly stated that it hopes to receive the trophy awarded by the CBF, even saying that it has already been informed by the entity that the award will take place this year, probably at the official Brazilian awards ceremony.
Last Thursday, one day after São Paulo beat América-RN and won the current edition of the Nacional, defender Miranda spoke about the subject and "demanded" the trophy.
"Flamengo refused to play the decisive match, so for me São Paulo is the first fifth title," said the number 5.
The game Miranda commented on was the one scheduled by the CBF to pit Flamengo, the 1987 Copa União champion, against Sport, which won the CBF-recognized national competition that same year. Because the Rio de Janeiro club refused to take the field, the CBF proclaimed Sport the 1987 Brazilian champion.
In the letter sent by Flamengo this Friday, the Rio de Janeiro team argues: "At the time of the events, the Clube dos Treze itself decided not to accept the crossover between the winners of the green and yellow modules proposed by the Brazilian Football Confederation," the document states.
After redoing the calculations, Toró defends Fla against Cruzeiro
From the Placar Agency\ In Rio de Janeiro\
Contrary to what was announced on Wednesday, midfielder Toró will not be missing Flamengo's match against Cruzeiro on Sunday at 16 pm (Brasília time) at Mineirão Stadium, for the 35th round of the Brazilian Championship. According to information from the Gávea club's press office, the player has only two, not three, yellow cards accumulated.
Thus, Toró is confirmed to face Raposa, a match that will be decisive in both teams' fight for a spot in the 2008 Copa Libertadores. Rubro-Negro, with 55 points, is in third place. The team from Minas Gerais is in fifth place with 54.
Striker Souza, however, received three yellow cards and will serve an automatic suspension for Sunday's match. Obina should be the option to form Flamengo's front line alongside Maxi Biancucchi.
BalloonSport
São Paulo ignores Fla's notification
Marco Aurélio Cunha guarantees that Tricolor only accepts decisions made by the CBF
Carlos Augusto Ferrari From GLOBOESPORTE.COM, in São Paulo
Marco Aurélio Cunha: no agreement
The notice sent this Friday by Flamengo's legal department, requesting that São Paulo refuse to accept the five-time Brazilian champion's trophy, was met with a joke within the São Paulo club. According to football superintendent Marco Aurélio Cunha, the Tricolor will not "accept" the Rubro-Negro's request.
"The question is this: Who is the five-time Brazilian champion, according to the CBF? São Paulo. So, there's no discussion. We're just going with what's legal. We won't accept Flamengo's request. This is, at most, a suggestion. We can't treat it as a notification," he says sarcastically.
Marco Aurélio Cunha, in fact, believes the Rio de Janeiro club should have spoken out earlier about the "title" of being the first five-time Brazilian champion. For the Rubro-Negro, the most titles were achieved in 1992, when they defeated Botafogo in the final. The CBF, however, recognizes Sport as the champion in 87.
"We don't have any rivalry with Flamengo. On the contrary. We're very close. But why didn't they ask for this in '92? Would Vasco have given us the title if they were in our place?" he asks.
Below is the full document sent by Flamengo:
"NOTIFICATION\ against SÃO PAULO FUTEBOL CLUBE, for the FACTUAL reasons set out below:\
As is public knowledge, the 1987 national football championship was organized by Clube dos Treze, and was called “Copa União”.
As Your Excellency knows better than anyone, since the Presidency of Clube dos Treze was at the time of the events held by the then President of São Paulo, Mr. Carlos Miguel Aidar, Clube dos Treze, of which São Paulo Futebol is a part, unanimously recognized, and recognizes, that Flamengo was crowned Brazilian Champion in 1987, being the winner of the Copa União (green module of the championship).
At the time of the events, Clube dos Treze itself decided not to accept the crossover between the winners of the green and yellow modules proposed by the Brazilian Football Confederation.
In view of this, none of the member clubs of the Clube dos Treze should accept receiving the trophy for five-time Brazilian champion, as they recognize Flamengo as the 1987 champion and the legitimate first five-time Brazilian champion.
For this reason, despite knowing that this procedure would not be necessary, considering that Your Excellency is an honorable man and a true gentleman, and given the close relationship between the clubs, Clube de Regatas do Flamengo hereby notifies São Paulo Futebol Clube to refrain from receiving the trophy for winning five Brazilian championships (five-time Brazilian champion trophy), or, if it does so, arrange for the immediate delivery of said trophy to Gávea, at Avenida Borges de Medeiros, No. 997, Rio de Janeiro, the only place where it may legitimately be displayed.
Michel Asseff Filho\ Legal Director of Football"\
Kléber suggests the extinction of the Club of 13
Director says the organization needs to make a decision on the 1987 title
Marcio Iannacca
Flamengo's vice president of football, Kléber Leite, stated that the controversy surrounding São Paulo and Flamengo's fifth consecutive championship is an institutional matter and needs to be resolved between the CBF and the Club of 13. The red-black director does not mince words when speaking about the entity led by Fábio Koff.
"If the Club of 13 doesn't resolve this situation, I suggest it be dissolved. It's up to them to resolve the problem," says the club's director.
When asked if two matches between São Paulo and Flamengo wouldn't resolve the issue, Kléber Leite made a revelation.
"A lot of people are giving me that idea, but that's not the problem. It's an institutional problem. There's no dispute about who's the best. Besides, sometimes the most important thing is to be, not to have," says Kléber Leite, referring to the champion's trophy.
Understand the history of the Copa União 87
The Brazilian Championship at the time is the main point of contention between Fla and São Paulo
Fans of São Paulo and Flamengo have become embroiled in the controversy over who is the first five-time Brazilian champion. Tricolor won its fifth title this year, but in 92, Flamengo celebrated the same feat loudly. The problem is that in 87, when Flamengo won its fourth title, one of the most famous imbroglios in the history of Brazilian football occurred.
That year, the country's 13 leading clubs (Vasco, Corinthians, São Paulo, Palmeiras, Flamengo, Santos, Fluminense, Botafogo, Atlético/MG, Cruzeiro, Inter, Grêmio, and Bahia) decided to take the lead and attempt to control the Brazilian Championship, which was renamed the Copa União. These boards were dissatisfied with the organization of the previous championships and engaged in a long tug-of-war with the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) and even FIFA, which even threatened to disaffiliate the clubs.
But since the CBF preferred to accept the demands of the Club of 13, the Copa União took shape and was contested in four sections. The Green Section consisted of the 13 members plus Goiás, Santa Cruz, and Coritiba, leaving out Guarani, the previous year's runner-up, and América/RJ, the fourth-place team—considered the first division—and the Yellow Section, the second division. The CBF decided to organize two more sections: blue and white, which were equivalent to the third division.
The divisions were contested: Flamengo won the Green Division in the final against Inter. This was when the great controversy arose, as according to the CBF, the two clubs would have to join Sport and Guarani, who qualified in the Yellow Division, to compete in a quadrangular, which would be played in a home and away format. Flamengo and Internacional refused to compete because, according to them, the rules were changed without the Club of 13's consent.
Sport and Guarani defeated Flamengo and Inter by a 13-XNUMX draw and reached the final, which Sport won. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) declared the Pernambuco team Brazilian champions that year, a position they hold to this day. However, because Flamengo and Inter had the support of the Club of XNUMX, which was presided over by then-São Paulo president Carlos Miguel Aidar, the red-and-blacks have been claiming to be five-time Brazilian champions ever since.
At the time, Carlos Miguel Aidar came out publicly to say that the Club of 13 had been betrayed by Eurico Miranda, who in 87 was a director of Vasco, because he did not agree with the crossover between the Green and Yellow modules.
But the most relevant fact is that São Paulo fan Aidar has always believed Flamengo would win the Copa União. There's even an interview he gave to journalist Juca Kfouri's program "Juca Entrevista" four months ago—when the Tricolor Paulista hadn't yet won its fifth title—in which the former president of the Club of 13 reaffirms this. GLOBOESPORTE.COM attempted to contact Carlos Miguel Aidar but was unable to reach him.
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Fans celebrate in Gávea
Rubro-negros carry posters and sing a new song in the stands of Fla's social headquarters\ Márcio Iannacca\
Flamengo fans carry a banner thanking Joel Santana at training. Flamengo fans took advantage of the November 2nd holiday to celebrate in Gávea. Excited about the team's third-place finish in the Brazilian Championship, the red-and-black fans turned out in force at the club's headquarters.
A fan wrote two messages to coach Joel Santana. One is a thank you, and the other is already placing Flamengo in Tokyo for the 2008 Club World Cup.
The new Flamengo song, which will debut in the match against Santos on the 11th, is sung to the tune of the Esporte Espetacular theme song, performed by the Carnaby Street Pop Orchestra. Check out the lyrics by the Flamengo fans:
"Give it, give it, give it oh\ Give it, give it, give it Flamengo\ Give it, give it oh oh oh\ Give it, give it Flamengo!\
I'm Flamengo until I die\ No matter what happens\ Play wherever...\ I'm always by your side\
Cruzeiro vs. Fla: Libertadores clash
Teams face each other and try to stay in the fight for a place in the competition in 2008
Mineirão promises to be a lively affair this Sunday. Cruzeiro hosts Flamengo at 16 p.m., and the two teams are direct rivals in the fight for a spot in next year's Copa Libertadores. The loser will be further away from their dream. Cruzeiro currently sits in third place with 55 points in the Brazilian Championship standings. Raposa is fifth with 54. In the first round, Flamengo played at home and won 3-1 (watch the goals). Follow the match in real time on GLOBOESPORTE.COM and live on Rede Globo.
Obina will be the starter
Flamengo coach Joel Santana will be without two players. He will be without defender Ronaldo Angelim, who felt unwell during the match against Corinthians last Wednesday, and Souza, who is suspended for his third yellow card. The Flamengo manager opted to field Thiago Sales and Obina in the absentees' places.
The Flamengo coach has already outlined a goal for the team in the final rounds of the Brasileirão. According to Joel Santana, Flamengo needs to win three of its last four games.
"Cruzeiro played poorly in their last match, but regardless of their opponents' results, Flamengo needs to win three of their remaining four games. That's six points at home and six away," analyzes the Flamengo coach.
Joel is with the team and has good options for the second half. Roger and Renato Augusto are confirmed on the bench and can help the team secure another victory.
Cruzeiro's Alecsandro celebrates a goal at Mineirão Stadium. The striker will not face Flamengo.
Alecsandro is suspended and will not play.
Cruzeiro needs to beat Flamengo to continue dreaming of a spot in next year's Copa Libertadores. However, the team will be without one of its biggest goalscoring hopes in Sunday's match. Top scorer Alecsandro received his third yellow card in the 4-1 loss to Botafogo and will be out.
In addition to the striker's suspension, Dorival still has another issue with his team's lineup. At left back, Fernandinho and Fábio Santos will remain sidelined due to injuries. Right-back Ângelo, who played as a makeshift defender against Botafogo, is expected to remain on the left.
No secrets, Joel chooses Fla
Thiago Sales and Obina take the places of Souza, who is suspended, and Angelim, who is injured.
Marcio Iannacca
Thiago Sales will have another chance at Fla
Coach Joel Santana made no secret of Flamengo's starting lineup for Sunday's match against Cruzeiro at Mineirão Stadium. He fielded Thiago Sales and Obina in place of Ronaldo Angelim, who felt unwell last Wednesday, and Souza, who is suspended.
The coach fielded both players in the tactical training session held at Gávea. The red-and-black team trained with the following formation: Bruno; Leo Moura, Fábio Luciano, Thiago Sales, and Juan; Cristian, Jaílton, Ibson, and Toró; Maxi and Obina.
The team's biggest news will be the return of Renato Augusto. Having recovered from a gluteal injury, the midfielder participated normally in training and is in the squad for the match.
Zico enters head-on into the fifth-place controversy
Galinho criticizes São Paulo and CBF directors for ignoring the 1987 red-black title
Zico in charge of Fenerbahce against PSV in the Champions League
Zico entered the controversy surrounding São Paulo's fifth championship. The São Paulo club maintains it was the first to achieve the feat, disregarding the Copa União title the club won in 1987—a title not recognized by the CBF. "Galinho" harshly criticized the club's executives for fueling the dispute.
"I think this whole story about São Paulo being the first five-time champion is a complete farce. Not for the club, which won titles on the field and deserves all the respect because it won this year handily. The problem is that this mess, as usual, was created by the directors, and now the São Paulo team's directors are fueling this nonsense," he says.
Zico recalls that São Paulo supported the creation of the Clube dos 13 and the Copa União in 1987. The split between the clubs and the CBF resulted in the championship being split between the Green Module (first division) and the Yellow Module (second division). In the end, the Clube dos 13 did not accept the crossover between the champion and runner-up of the two modules, and the CBF proclaimed Sport the champion after a final against Guarani.
"At the time, there was a dispute between the Club of 13, which had the president of São Paulo as its coordinator, and the CBF. This dispute off the field led to this: a team that won the first division having to play against teams from the second. And Guarani and Sport also played a shoddy final. Therefore, I think this is all completely nonsense and disrespectful to the fans," he criticizes.
Zico also criticized the CBF for not confirming Flamengo as the first Brazilian penta.
"Everyone knows that the CBF doesn't recognize Flamengo due to political disputes. But we, the players, not the directors, won the 1987 title on the field, through sweat, defeating great opponents, and in the final, Inter, who were a worthy rival. That's what matters. The fans know it, the press knows it. Titles are won on the field, not by the stroke of a pen by people who made history by changing regulations and adopting attitudes that almost never benefited football," he says.
Thiago Sales: 'I'm ready'
Defender takes Ronaldo Angelim's place and starts against Cruzeiro
Practically guaranteed as Ronaldo Angelim's replacement in the red-black defense, Thiago Sales believes that, for Flamengo to leave Mineirão with a victory against Cruzeiro, at 16 pm next Sunday, in a match valid for the 35th round of the Brasileirão, the team needs to defend against the best attack in the championship.
Thiago, who has never played at Mineirão, says he is ready to partner with captain Fábio Luciano and stop the Raposa's fast attack.
"I'm ready for the game. I've been working hard and I'll try to do my best. Cruzeiro is a great team, but we're going after the win in Minas Gerais."
Flamengo's newest prospect from the youth ranks still provides clues as to how the team should play.
"I'm very confident that I'll do my best on the field. We have to play intelligently, reducing the spaces to hinder Cruzeiro's fast attack," he reflects on Flamengo's official website.
Fla-BH throws a party at the airport
Around ten fans welcomed the red-black delegation in Minas Gerais
Marcio Iannacca
Flamengo fans welcome the players in Belo Horizonte
A group of ten fans welcomed the Flamengo delegation at Confins International Airport in Belo Horizonte this Friday. The Flamengo team arrived around 20:40 p.m. and headed straight to their hotel in the Belvedere neighborhood, an upscale area of the city. The Flamengo fans from Minas Gerais were thrilled by the good humor of Obina, Maxi, and Fábio Luciano, who signed autographs and took photos.
According to one of the fans, demand for tickets from the red-and-black side is high, and around ten thousand fans will support the team from Gávea.
- We've continued dreaming about the Libertadores since Joel Santana took over the team - says Benito Figueirô, 52.
At the hotel, the players didn't receive the same welcome and were able to have a quiet dinner. After the meal, the players went to their rooms to rest. This Saturday, coach Joel Santana will lead a training session at 10 a.m. at Independência Stadium.
Joel sets goals for Fla
For the coach, the team needs three wins to reach the Libertadores
Marcio Iannacca
Joel Santana at Flamengo training
Coach Joel Santana left the Gávea field after the final training session in Rio de Janeiro with a well-defined plan in mind. In the final four rounds of the Brazilian Championship, Flamengo needs to earn nine points to reach its goal of a spot in next year's Copa Libertadores. The first opponent will be Cruzeiro, this Sunday, in Belo Horizonte.
"Any result that comes in the Brazilian Championship won't surprise me. We need three wins in the four remaining games to achieve our goal. Cruzeiro, for example, will be a tougher opponent in Belo Horizonte than we saw here in Rio against Botafogo," he analyzes.
For the red-and-black coach, Flamengo can't go into the game looking for a draw. The idea is to attack the opponent and return from Belo Horizonte with the three points.
"In matches worth three points, a draw is worthless. A draw and nothing are the same thing. Any result in this championship is possible," says the red-and-black coach.
Throw
Flamengo seeks new agreement with Kleberson
Gávea club offers to pay 1,5 million euros for midfielder who won the 2002 World Cup five times
LANCEPRESS!
Flamengo is willing to invest €1,5 million (approximately R$3,7 million) to extend Kleberson's contract to five years. Besides being the main prospect for 2008, he's also the eye of the storm in a complicated situation.
The midfielder was fined €3 million (approximately R$7,5 million) by Besiktas (Turkey) for breaching his contract. His other punishment was that he was only allowed to play for four months after signing with a club. Since he was only registered with Flamengo in October, he was only allowed to play in February 2008.
The board is in contact with Besiktas officials and is negotiating a reduction in the fine. They have already secured a 50% reduction.
"We're paying Besiktas €1,5 million for a five-year contract. Negotiations are well advanced," said vice president of football Kléber Leite, who refuted some opposition accusations.
"There's no such thing as a joint and several debtor. The debt isn't Flamengo's," Kléber assured.
Flamengo fans will protest against the CBF
Rubro-negros will demand the fifth trophy on the day of the Brazilian Championship's Star
Thiago Asmar RIO DE JANEIRO
The controversy surrounding the awarding of the five-time Brazilian champion's trophy solely to São Paulo won't end anytime soon. Flamengo fans, outraged that their club isn't receiving the same award from the CBF, will hold a protest on December 3rd.
The movement will take place at the entrance to the Municipal Theater, in Rio de Janeiro, minutes before the award ceremony for this year's Craque do Brasileirão, which will take place there.
"We will hold a peaceful protest to reclaim our club's rights. The 1987 title is ours, there's no arguing about it. It's a disgrace for fans of the first five-time Brazilian champions to be provoked by São Paulo fans who claim to be the only ones to have achieved such a feat," said 24-year-old businessman Ricardo Ofeiche, one of the creators of the idea.
Student Luiz Noronha do Amaral, 21, will also participate in the demonstration. Tired of hearing from friends who support other major Rio clubs that Flamengo is a four-time Brazilian champion, he decided to join the group planning the movement.
"It's time for the CBF to be ashamed of itself and recognize the 1987 title. The highest authority in Brazilian football cannot tarnish the history of the country's most popular club," he said, outraged.
The fans' stance was approved by the club's board. When contacted by LANCE!, club president Márcio Braga stated that fans have every right to fight for their club's rights, as long as the protest is peaceful. He also said the club is teaching a lesson this year to fans of all clubs around the world.
"All our games at Maracanã are packed. This crowd is the most incredible in the world. I get emotional when I see the spectacle up close," he explained.
Leonardo Moura: 'It's time to give it our all'
Rubro-Negro full-back says the team has to take advantage of its growing phase
After training this Tuesday, in Gávea, right-back Leonardo Moura said that Flamengo's remaining games in the Brazilian Championship will be important for the team to give its best in search of a place in the Copa Libertadores.
According to the player, the team has to take advantage of the growing phase and win the remaining games.
"We have to be strong in this final stretch. We have four crucial games. Nothing we've done so far will matter if we lose these matches. We're close, on a growing streak, and we have to take advantage," he stated.
Ibson feels muscle pain during training in Gávea
Midfielder leaves training with pain in his right thigh, but Runco rules out absence for Sunday
Player asked coach Joel Santana to leave the field (Credit: Paulo Sérgio)
Flamengo midfielder Ibson felt a twinge in his right thigh and had to abandon the collective training session between the starters and reserves this Friday in Gávea. While running to compete for the ball, the player felt the pain and asked coach Joel Santana to remove him from the team. The coach complied and replaced him with Léo Medeiros.
Ibson was then seen by doctor José Luiz Runco, who ruled out the possibility of him missing Sunday's game against Cruzeiro. According to Runco, with the effort of recent matches, it's natural for some athletes to experience muscle fatigue.
Fans praise Joel Santana during training
Supporting and thank you tracks moved the coach
Fans who attended Flamengo's training session on All Souls' Day brought banners of thanks and encouragement to coach Joel Santana, who is considered the leader of the team's incredible comeback in the Brazilian Championship.
Joel took over the team in the 17th round, when they were in the relegation zone and now they are in 35th place with the team in third place in the table.
The two banners hanging in Gávea read: "Thanks Joel! You're the man!" and "Thanks Joel! On to Tokyo."
Flamengo officially notifies São Paulo
See the full note sent by Rubro-Negro to the São Paulo club
Flamengo fulfilled its promise and notified São Paulo last Wednesday that it would award the trophy to the club that won the Brazilian Championship three times in a row, or five times in a row. The club faxed an official note requesting that the trophy be sent to its Gávea headquarters if it were to be awarded to the São Paulo club.
Flamengo won its fifth Brazilian title in 1992, however, due to political differences, the Brazilian Football Confederation does not recognize the 1987 Copa União title.
That year, the country's main clubs, including São Paulo, created the Clube dos 13 and organized a competition with the 16 main teams, which became known as the Copa União.
Subsequently, the CBF, demoralized by the clubs' withdrawal, organized a new competition with 40 clubs, calling it the Yellow Module. The Confederation also ordered the Copa União clubs to face the winners of the Yellow Module, a decision that was once again ignored by the Club of 13, which continued with the Copa União, which ended with Flamengo as champions after defeating Internacional 1-0 in the final at Maracanã, with Bebeto scoring.
Now, 20 years after the red-and-black triumph, the issue is raised again, after São Paulo declared itself the only club with five Brazilian titles. It's worth noting that São Paulo, through its president at the time, Carlos Miguel Aidar, who was also president of the Club of 13, supported the decision not to cross with the yellow module teams.