On the eve of their debut in the Brazilian Championship and the CONMEBOL Libertadores Cup, Flamengo players participated, this Thursday (27), at Ninho do Urubu, in a lecture on legal issues related to sport. For about 50 minutes, the club's general vice-president, Flávio Willeman, the vice-president of Administration, Marcos Motta, and lawyer Michel Assef Filho spoke with the athletes and answered questions raised during the meeting.

Marcos Motta, a lawyer with years of experience in football, said that new meetings like today's should take place throughout the season.

"The idea today was to talk to the professional team and the coaching staff based on a principle we call ongoing education. Professional soccer players need to be aware of these issues, which are so prevalent in everyday football today, whether professional or amateur. There are topics involving sports integrity, sports betting, doping cases, and disciplinary issues. Our intention was to clarify some of these points with practical, clear, and real-life examples of what happens in the day-to-day running of sports courts, so that the approach is preventative rather than reactive," stated Motta.

José Boto, the executive director of Rubro-Negro football, was very pleased with the outcome of the meeting. According to him, the players absorbed what was explained well, especially regarding two topics that are very prevalent in modern football.  "The lecture was very useful, as it addressed extremely relevant topics today, especially sports betting and doping. It was essential that the athletes heard from experts on the subject and understood all the necessary precautions to avoid falling into these traps. I was very satisfied."

Flávio Willeman, who is not only the club's vice president but also a state attorney, highlighted the importance of talking to the athletes as Flamengo prepares for the start of the national and international season, which will run until the last days of 2025. 

In addition to the Brazilian Championship and Copa do Brasil, the two-time Rio de Janeiro champions will also compete in the Copa Libertadores and the FIFA Club World Cup. Their debut in the South American competition will take place on April 4th against Deportivo Táchira in Venezuela, four days after Flamengo faces Internacional in the first round of the national championship.

"This meeting is part of the process of improving professionalism, not only for Flamengo's legal department and football professionals, but also for the athletes, who need to be increasingly informed and supported. We're starting a long season, and it's crucial that they know what they can and can't do, as well as the consequences of their actions. The idea is that this also extends to the youth teams and women's football, ensuring the same preparation and due legal attention," added Willeman.

Michel Assef Filho, a lawyer who has been defending the club's interests for years, said that players need to understand and adapt to issues related to the game's regulations. "Players need to know what infractions are and what excessive behaviors are not tolerated by the Sports Court's auditors. This helps athletes avoid problematic situations on the field," he concluded.