On Wednesday, May 15th, the CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation) confirmed that, after carefully studying the requests from the clubs from Rio Grande do Sul and despite the refusal of several clubs in the Brasileirão, the decision would be made to stop the next two rounds of the league competition. This was due to the tragic floods in the Rio Grande do Sul region.
Among the clubs that supported this request were Athletico Paranaense, Fluminense, Vasco da Gama, Fortaleza, Vitória, Bahia, Cuiabá, Botafogo, Atlético Goianiense, Cruzeiro, and Criciúma, in addition to the three that made the request: Internacional, Grêmio, and Juventude.
Who was against it? São Paulo, Corinthians, Palmeiras, RB Bragantino, and Flamengo, and the latter, through its directors, gave their reasons for not stopping football in Brazil.
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Flamengo’s directors believe the Brasileirão should not be stopped
Despite the criticism received from a large part of the fans of the clubs from Rio Grande do Sul, Flamengo’s stance on not stopping the Brasileirão has been explained by two of its directors, Bruno Spindel, the club’s football director, and also by Marcos Braz, the club’s vice president.
On this situation, Spindel said that he believes Flamengo and the other Brasileirão clubs can help more by playing than by stopping the tournament:
“The club understands that by continuing to work and carry out our activity, we can help more than if it is stopped. Several activities in Brazil have not been stopped due to the catastrophe, everyone is helping in the best possible way. Flamengo believes it can help more if the tournament continues. We express solidarity with the human side, with health, lives, and we will do everything in our power. Flamengo will continue to help,” he assured.
Marcos Braz, Mengão’s vice president, also sent a message that remains in the same line of thought:
“This position should be explained by President Rodolfo Landim, who has this connection with the CBF. I believe the clubs should help in the best possible way, contribute to reducing this tragedy, reducing the pain of all the inhabitants of Rio Grande do Sul. We need to see what is the best possible way,” he stated.
This stance has been heavily criticized in recent days, however, for many, this opinion of Mengão is quite valid and will surely be studied in the upcoming meetings that the CBF will have on this matter.
Can football help in a tragedy of this magnitude? It’s hard to say.
Remembering Zagallo
Sambafoot Series launched a new documentary about the football legend Zagallo. Known as ‘Velho Lobo‘ and as superstitious as it gets, Zagallo helped shape what Brazilian football is nowadays — as a player and as a coach.
Binge the first five episodes available on Sambafoot’s Youtube channel. Stay tuned for upcoming releases as we keep telling this legend’s life story.
