President makes comment at the organization and threatens to go to court if he does not win
Eduardo Peixoto
From GLOBOESPORTE.COM, in Rio de Janeiro
Marcio Braga was at the UN to talk about social projects. But the goal of the trip to Europe is to fight against all matches at high altitudes. Flamengo's crusade against altitude was at the UN this Tuesday. On a trip to Europe to "lobby against matches above 2.750m," the club's president, Marcio Braga, visited the Palace of Nations and the headquarters of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Geneva, Switzerland.
During his first visit, the president engaged in informal projects and discussed the altitude issue with interlocutors. At the CAS, Marcio delivered the petition signed by the Brazilian clubs competing in the Copa Libertadores.
The expectation is that the answer will come out in the first week of March. Flamengo has a game scheduled in Cuzco—at 3.360 meters above sea level—on April 9th. If it fails to secure a ban on high-altitude games again, the Rio de Janeiro club promises to be even more radical.
- We can go to the ordinary courts in Zurich so that we can assert our victory in the FIFA executive committee - says Marcio Braga, in an interview with GLOBOESPORTE.COM, by telephone, from Geneva.
Flamengo relies on the ruling of FIFA's executive committee, which banned international matches above 2.750 meters without an adjustment period. However, the world's governing body later reversed course and limited the ban to international matches.
In the interview, in addition to lobbying against high altitudes, Marcio Braga also talks about the Ronaldo project and Flamengo's support for UN social projects.
GLOBOESPORTE.COM: What is the objective of this trip to Europe?
MARCIO BRAGA: All of this (the trip) is to lobby for the issue of life-threatening conditions in games above 2.750 meters. Our presence is crucial because this issue is handled politically, not based on technical advice. FIFA made the decision based on medical opinions and doesn't enforce it.
And what actions were taken to reverse the situation and, finally, achieve a ban on games above 2.750 meters?
Marcio Braga speaks in an interview at the UN. Today (Tuesday), we submitted copies of our petitions, paying the fees and requesting that the case be heard quickly, especially the injunction we requested. It was a good contact, and perhaps things will be resolved in the first week of March. In the next two days, we will meet with UEFA President Michel Platini and FIFA President Joseph Blatter. The main topic will be altitude. Everyone knows that's why we're here.
In some South American countries, they consider Flamengo's battle lost and even mock the club's attempt...\ I've heard absurd things. CONMEBOL says no one has ever died in high-altitude games. In other words, they're waiting for something to happen to take action. It's absurd. Another lawyer here in Europe said it's a lawsuit between Flamengo and the world.\
If CAS does not grant the injunction that Flamengo wants against games at high altitudes, what will be done?
» Fans buy nearly 18 tickets » Obina goes to trial at the TJD » Joel rehearses a team with three attackers We can go to the ordinary courts in Zurich to make FIFA fulfill what we won. This is a crime against life. There was a victory in the executive committee, but no one is implementing it. The case was won!
But, according to FIFA rules, a club that resorts to the ordinary courts can be banned from football.\ It would be a problem for Flamengo and the entire world if that happened. We won a lawsuit, and no one is taking action. We're going after our rights.\
How was the visit to the Palais des Nations in Geneva? I was in the sports for development and peace sector. It was an excellent meeting. Social responsibility, children's issues, and sports focused on education were discussed. The relationship was good, and we'll decide on the agencies there in Brazil. Flamengo will allocate 1% of its revenue to these projects.
But didn't the subject of altitude get touched on?\ Everyone knows we're here because of the altitude and we've talked about it a bit. But I also know that the UN can't intervene on this point.\
The European press also wanted to know about Ronaldo. Have you had any contact with the Phenomenon? We spoke with Fabiano Farah (Ronaldo's representative) and wished him well in his recovery. He replied with a thank you from Ronaldo. But right now, he's already discussing a new contract with Milan, and we thought it best to let him sort out his life.
Can't even the fact that Flamengo fans brought a flag to the player in Paris help?\ Everything helps, but it only depends on Ronaldo's will.\