The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) recently outlined how it picks referees for Brasileirão matches to the Senate’s Commission of Inquiry on Gaming and Sports Betting Manipulation.
The criteria focus on the competition phase, match complexity, and referees’ qualifications, fitness, and performance.
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Referees are not allowed to officiate games involving teams from their home states or the same team across consecutive rounds, aiming to prevent conflicts of interest.
Debate over Referee Lottery
The idea of a referee lottery set off debate among senators. Carlos Portinho and Chico Rodrigues support the plan, seeing it as a way to ensure fair play. However, CPI President Jorge Kajuru opposes it, questioning the transparency of announcing referees ahead of the draw.
The CBF’s report also noted some referees, like Raphael Claus and Daiane Muniz, were repeatedly paired across multiple rounds, raising questions about the selection variety.
Wilson Seneme, head of CBF’s arbitration, defended the public naming of referees as a step toward transparency. However, these announcements do not provide detailed reasoning for each selection.
Seneme compared the mandatory lottery to a coach being forced to pick his team at random, suggesting it complicates strategic decision-making.
As the inquiry progresses, these discussions could lead to changes in how football officials are selected in Brazil, aiming for greater fairness and clarity in the process.
