Pernambuco Deception

Throw

Roberto Assaf

Sport president Homero Lacerda stated in the "Diário de Pernambuco" that his club was the true Brazilian champion of 1987. He was mistaken. The regulations were changed while the competition was underway, and Sport was only recognized as such by the CBF because the organization's then-acting president, Nabi Abi Chedid, decided to do so to undermine the prestige of Flamengo's then-president, Marcio Braga, with whom he was harboring a political feud. It didn't. Nabi left the CBF in 1989. After that, Marcio, as president of Flamengo, won nine more titles: the GB Cup in 1988, 2004, and 2007, the Rio Cup in 1991, the State Championship in 1991, 2004, and 2007, the Brazilian Championship in 1992, and the Brazilian Cup in 2006. Flamengo is the true Brazilian champion of 1987. 

So much so that not even its biggest rival, Vasco, was able, at any time, to challenge the championship.

Even Vasco da Gama recognizes the red-and-black title. Only Nabi, who has since passed away, and Sport, who received the curious official status from the CBF as a Christmas present, insist otherwise.