In view of the repercussions of our statements regarding the refereeing of the match between Flamengo and Santos held at Maracanã last Sunday, we clarify the following, on behalf of the Football Department:

 

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1. We ratify the opinion expressed after the game that we consider the refereeing to be absurd and scandalous.

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2. We also state that the punishment imposed on the Barueri athletes who were prevented from playing against São Paulo is strange.

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3. We are paying attention to the unusual behavior of referees and managers in the final stretch of the Brazilian Championship.

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4. When we say that the referee could not leave Maracanã unpunished,  we direct our  claims \ to the sports authorities and not to the fans.

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5. Flamengo encourages its fans to act in an orderly and peaceful manner, as the "12th Player", and repudiates, in advance, any violent attitude against referees and managers.

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Rio de Janeiro, November 3, 2009

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Marcos Braz

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Vice President of Football

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