The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) rescheduled the Copa do Brasil match between Fluminense-PI and Fortaleza to Sunday night at 8:30 pm, moving from the initial 6:30 pm slot in Teresina. This change, influenced by broadcast rights holders, marks another adjustment to the game’s timing.
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Previously, the match faced a postponement from its original Thursday evening schedule to provide Fortaleza players extra recovery time after an attack in Recife. This assault by Sport fans involved bombs and stones, injuring six players and emotionally impacting the entire team.
As a result of the attack, defenders Titi and Gonzalo Escobar, alongside striker Thiago Galhardo, are sidelined for the upcoming match. Galhardo is addressing his mental health after panic attacks. Meanwhile, players João Ricardo, Dudu, Brítez, and Lucas Sasha have resumed training and are available for selection by coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda.
Fortaleza aims for a draw to progress to the Copa do Brasil’s second phase, where they would host Retrô at Arena Castelão.
In response to the attack, José Perdiz, president of the STJD, banned Sport from playing with fans in CBF-organized matches, like the Copa do Brasil and Copa do Nordeste, following a prosecutor’s request.
The investigation into the ambush continues, with a man confessing to his involvement but released after questioning. Fortaleza’s board demands swift action in identifying and prosecuting the culprits.
