Official Note: Position on CBF decisions
By Flamengo Communication - inClube de Regatas do Flamengo publicly expresses its rejection of the recent decisions of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), especially the facts involving the call-up of athlete Lucas Paquetá for the Brazilian National Team's friendlies against the United States and El Salvador and the selection of Bráulio da Silva Machado to referee the match against Corinthians, this Wednesday, for the semi-finals of the Copa do Brasil.
In the specific case of the national team's friendlies, the CBF's intransigence regarding the alternatives presented by Flamengo to allow them to count on the player called up is striking. Suggestions included changing the date of the first match against Corinthians and allowing Lucas Paquetá to participate in the match against El Salvador, an opponent of dubious value for Brazil's preparations. The CBF, however, remained adamant. It's worth remembering that Flamengo also had midfielder Cuéllar called up by Colombia and left-back Trauco, which, combined with Paquetá's call-up and the inadequacy of the schedule, ruled the players out of two Brazilian Championship matches, clearly causing a technical imbalance in the CBF's main competition.
Referee Bráulio da Silva Machado's lineup for this Wednesday's match is absurd. He was the one who performed appallingly in the match between Palmeiras and Flamengo in the first round of the Brazilian Championship. On that occasion, he failed to send off Felipe Melo after a foul on Vinicius Jr., an act that could have seriously injured the young athlete. Furthermore, he ended the match early, even though the opponent was fielding a defensive midfielder in place of the goalkeeper who had been sent off, preventing Flamengo from securing the three points in the final moments of the match.
These facts and other recent occurrences make Flamengo feel systematically harmed by the current CBF management, which today allows us to conclude that it is a result of the stance adopted by the club in relation to the entity's governance.
Flamengo has a history of achievements, boasts the largest fan base in Brazil, boasts the highest television audiences for its matches, and boasts the highest average stadium attendance of the year. Therefore, the club and its fans deserve respect. If it were truly interested in changing the tarnished image of our football, the CBF should treat all its members equally and impartially, and not harass with behind-the-scenes actions those who, like Flamengo, are tireless in their pursuit of truly professionalizing Brazilian football.
Finally, after all these regrettable episodes, Flamengo demands that qualification for the Copa do Brasil final and the remaining rounds of the Brazilian Championship be decided exclusively by the players' ability on the field.
Flamengo Regatta Club