Chapecoense Docked 3 Points, out of Copa Libertadores for Fielding Banned Player
May 24, 2017
Argentina's Lanus forward Jose Sand (L) vies for the ball with Brazil's Chapecoense defender Luiz Otavio during their Copa Libertadores football match at the Lanus stadium in Lanus, Buenos Aires, on May 17, 2017.
Otavio should have been suspended for the game due to a red card receivied earlier in the tournament, and while Chapecoense has claimed they were not told about the ban, Lanus has filed an official complaint and could be awarded the points despite having lost 2-1. / AFP PHOTO / Eitan ABRAMOVICH (Photo credit should read EITAN ABRAMOVICH/AFP/Getty Images)
Chapecoense's hopes of Copa Libertadores glory have been ended after they were docked three points for fielding an ineligible player.
The Brazilian club were punished by CONMEBOL for playing Luiz Otavio, who should have been sidelined through suspension, and their 2-1 victory over Argentinian side Lanus on May 17 was changed to a 3-0 defeat, meaning Chapecoense cannot advance to the knockout rounds, per Reuters (via MailOnline).
Otavio had netted the winner against Lanus, but it has been ruled he should have been suspended, having been sent off in the previous fixture against Nacional.
Per FourFourTwo, Chapecoense plan to appeal the sanction.
The tragedy-stricken club lost 19 players in a plane crash late last year, which also claimed the lives of club officials and journalists.
Chapecoense beat Venezuelan side Zulia 2-1 on Tuesday thanks to two stoppage-time goals to finish third in Group 7, meaning they will return to the Copa Sudamericana.
The team were on their way to Medellin for the final of the Copa Sudamericana against Colombian side Atletico Nacional when their plane crashed.
Chapecoense were subsequently awarded the trophy by CONMEBOL, which saw them gain entry to the Copa Libertadores for the first time.
Criciuma Esporte Clube Fans Taunt Chapecoense about Plane Crash Tragedy
Apr 25, 2017
CHAPECO, BRAZIL - APRIL 18: Players of Chapecoense poses for a photo with during a match between Chapecoense and Nacional Uruguay as part of Copa Bridgestone Libertadores at Arena Conda on April 18, 2017 in Chapeco, Brazil (Photo by Cristiano Andujar/Getty Images)
Fans of Brazilian football club Criciuma were reportedly heard chanting taunts toward Chapecoense supporters regarding the plane crash that killed 71 players, coaches, journalists and staff members last year.
A report from Ed Malyon of the Independent detailed how Criciuma fans were heard chanting "'ao, ao, ao, abastece o aviao' (oh oh oh, refuel the plane)" during a match Chapecoense won 1-0.
Malyon revealed how Criciuma moved quickly to admonish the supporters involved in a club statement condemning the chants:
Criciuma Esporte Clube does not condone and repudiates the chants of fans that took place on Sunday night in the Heriberto Hülse stadium, during the match against the Chapecoense Football Association, in the final round of the Santa Catarina Championship," they said in a statement on Monday night.
This type of chant from a small number fans does not express the principles of the Criciúma Esporte Clube and its great fanbase, that has enormous respect not only for Chapecoense, but all the clubs in Santa Catarina, Brazil and worldwide
The song chanted by half a dozen fans is of deeply bad taste and does not match the sporting spirit that guides Criciuma Esporte Clube.
The club also said they will assist in any investigation: "The images in question will be forwarded to the competent authorities for liability."
There were only six survivors when a plane carrying the Chapecoense team and various staff and media representatives crashed into a mountain on the outskirts of Colombian city Medellin last November.
The Brazilian club subsequently revealed how La Liga giants Barcelona were the only club to pledge financial support in the wake of the tragedy, per another report from Malyon.
Chapecoense Tragedy Brings Harmony to Brazil's Fractured Football Nation
Dec 6, 2016
RIO DE JANEIRO — It’s the kind of story that doesn’t bear thinking about. It's nigh on impossible to transcribe the feelings of grief, desperation and bereavement that have been brought to an entire city through fatally thoughtless behaviour.
By now, of course, the story of flight LaMia 933 has reverberated around the world. The plane carrying the Chapecoense team, along with non-playing members of staff and a group of journalists, ran out of fuel and crashed close to Medellin, Colombia. All but six of the 77 on board lost their lives.
As the story continues to develop, there has been the slimmest of silver linings hanging over Brazilian and world football. Full-back Alan Ruschel was able to squeeze his father’s hand and move his legs. Brazilian journalist Rafael Henzel’s condition is slowly improving.
On Saturday, a minute’s silence was held prior to the game between Atletico Nacional and Millonarios, in the quarter-finals of the Colombian championship.
Bodies have started to be returned to Brazil, and while this whole sorry event will never truly be put to rest emotionally by those most closely affected, at least some answers are being provided.
Confusion and grief have slowly given way to resentment and anger over the past few days, with the revelation that the airline, LaMia, opted to fly regardless of the flawed flight plan, per the Associated Press (h/t CBS News). That has been widely publicised in the Brazilian media, showing that the duration of the flight and the amount of fuel on board amounted to the same amount of time: four hours and 22 minutes.
The singularity of this horrific happening was highlighted on Saturday, when the collective wake at Chapecoense’s Arena Conda was held. Were you to look at the stadium on any given day, you could be forgiven for thinking you were not looking upon a top-flight arena in the country of the five-time world champions.
The stands have seen better days; they are steep, rickety old things that look like they could blow over with the right strength and direction of wind.
The Conda would typically not even come close to being full to its 22,600 capacity. In the 2016 Campeonato Brasileiro campaign, an average of 7,619 have come through the turnstiles to watch Chapecoense steady themselves in the top tier of Brazilian domestic football, where they have resided since 2014 in relative comfort despite an operating budget far below that of many of their fellow competitors.
That number doesn’t even put them in the top 20 if you take into account the first three divisions of the club game in this corner of the world. Their biggest crowd of the season, just over 17,500, came in the goalless draw in the semi-final of the Copa Sudamericana against San Lorenzo of Argentina, putting them into their first continental final, as well as making them the first club from the region to reach one.
On Saturday, it was estimated that around 100,000 arrived in Chapeco to pay their respects to those who lost their lives. In a show of how this story has reverberated around the world, around 1,000 of those were journalists, who descended on the rural southern Brazilian town to take the story around the globe.
And what they have witnessed is the coming together of people, of spontaneous harmony in one of the darkest hours in 21st-century Brazil.
Leandro Webster is a member of Gremio supporters' group, Gremio do Prata, which was founded in 2008. He described the mood at the club and among the fans.
"We Gremistas were preparing for what should have been the greatest week in the last 15 years for the club," he said. "We would play the Copa do Brasil final at home with an advantage (3-1 from the first leg against Atletico Mineiro), which made a title possible, as well as the probable relegation of Internacional.
"All this expectation was forgotten on Tuesday morning, when we received news of the tragedy. The feeling is one of sadness, and no one is speaking of the relegation of a rival or the hunt for the Copa do Brasil."
The official mascot pays tribute to the players of Brazilian team Chapecoense Real at the club's Arena Conda stadium in Chapeco
On the surface, that may not seem surprising in the slightest. It would be seen as the natural reaction to an occurrence as extreme as this.
But that outpouring has stretched to every club in the Brasileiro Serie A and to the tiers of the football pyramid below. Well, almost all.
Ignoring the crass comments from Internacional vice-president Fernando Carvalho, who considered it acceptable to voice his concerns about his side’s relegation prospects following the air crash—going so far as to compare the two scenarios—the solidarity has been unanimous.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Corinthians, the 2015 league champions, changed the colour of their webpage to the green of Chapecoense.
Corinthians’ main rivals are Palmeiras, who also play in green. The day before the crash, Palmeiras had been crowned 2016 Brazilian league champions, following a 1-0 win against, in one of life’s inexplicably ironic twists of fate, Chapecoense.
The Corinthians-Palmeiras rivalry is one of the fiercest in Brazil. The idea that one of these clubs would switch the colours of their online pages, just days after those rivals had been crowned national champions, would previously have been considered unthinkable. But these are unprecedented times for the Brazilian game.
Immediately after the disaster, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) declared a seven-day period of mourning in national football. National president Michel Temer declared a three-day term for the country.
That meant the second leg of the final of the Copa do Brasil was postponed. As was the final round of national league matches, with both being put back a week.
Yet could we see a more profound effect than this initial period? Could these events be the trigger for a significant change in the attitudes of fans across Brazil and, in particular, the notorious torcidas organizadas, the organised factions who could reasonably be compared to the hooligans of the English game 20 to 30 years ago?
Andre Schmidt, a columnist for Brazilian sports daily Lance, has his doubts: "[The plane disaster] is something that changes the concept of life for everybody, even those who are not close to the victims or football.
"But unfortunately, I think that on the whole we will not see big changes. Proof of this is that two days after the plane crash, 70 Flamengo fans were arrested for fighting at a basketball game—among themselves."
However, the journalist went on to say that while the most fanatical may see no need to alter their behaviour, what we could see is changes among other supporters, both in the stadiums and in the petty bickering you are likely to encounter on social media.
"I believe that the posture of the common fan, who can sometimes be overzealous and exaggerate with a friend during a discussion, can change," he said. "They may think twice before swearing at a rival on social media or something similar. But the fans who go to the stadium to fight and cause confusion, unfortunately this won’t change."
Meanwhile, Globo Esporte writer Bernardo Pombo believes this whole sorry affair could change Brazilian football, if not perhaps quite in the way of the organizadas.
"This tragedy could change a lot of attitudes in Brazilian football," he said. "However, this initial impact could camouflage the true face of many of our directors. The fact that the vice-president of Internacional complained about the postponement of the final round of matches, comparing the Chapecoense tragedy with his club’s battle against relegation, shows the all-too-selfish face of a good number of our executives."
Pombo went on to make a poignant argument regarding former player Dener.
"It’s worth remembering that one of the greatest players in the history of Brazil, Dener, died in a car crash in 1994, and for a long time his family were helpless," he noted. "We have to wait for the true reactions. This initial union can be great. But Brazil usually has a short memory. And in this case, the most beautiful example has come from the fans of Atletico Nacional."
Pombo is referring to the actions of the Colombian club in the aftermath of the tragedy. Atletico told CONMEBOL, the South American football confederation, that the Copa Sudamericana title should be awarded to Chapecoense. Even despite the circumstances, it was considered a huge gesture.
The winners of the Sudamericana—the continent's equivalent of the Europa League—earn a place in the following season’s Copa Libertadores, the South American answer to the Champions League. In other words, it's the most prestigious club title up for grabs.
As if backing up Pombo’s assertion, Vinicius Follmer, formerly part of one of the supporter groups linked to Internacional, Gremio’s biggest rivals, stated: "I guarantee you that if the opposite had occurred, no Brazilian club would have done half of what Nacional and its people have done for us Brazilians and for Chapecoense. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank these fantastic people."
Old habits die hard, the adage goes. And while there may be a temporary reprieve, even an event as shocking as this one may not live in the forefront of the collective memory for a tellingly long time. After all, Liverpool and Manchester United fans continue to taunt each other to this day over the Munich and Hillsborough disasters.
Relatively recently, Corinthians fans mocked Internacional supporters during a league encounter over the premature death of club idol Fernandao. The former Inter player and coach died in a helicopter crash on 7 June, 2014.
Extra columnist Gilmar Ferreira succinctly summed up the mood. Having lost colleagues and friends in the plane crash, I asked him, rather futilely, how he was. "That’s difficult to answer, Robbie," he responded. "But I’m alive, and that’s already a piece of good news."
How long that sentiment will last on Brazilian terraces still seems up for debate.
Robbie Blakeley is a journalist based in Rio de Janeiro.
Robinho Hit by Lighter in Racing Club vs. Atletico Mineiro Copa Libertadores Tie
Apr 28, 2016
Brazil's Atletico Mineiro Robinho reacts after failing to score during a Copa Libertadores soccer match against Argentina's Racing in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Wednesday, April 27, 2016. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)
Atletico Mineiro star Robinho was hit by a lighter thrown from the stands during his team's Copa Libertadores clash with Racing Club on Wednesday.
As reported by Goal's Matthew Judge, the former Real Madrid man tried to take a corner kick under heavy police protection, but the lighter found its way past the policemen and hit him in the shoulder. Here's a look at the video, courtesy of Goal:
The official had no interest in stopping or delaying the match, even after Robinho showed him the lighter, and after a short break in play, the two sides continued.
The incident took place early in the second half, with the score still tied at 0-0. Neither team would score in the first leg of the tie, with the second leg to be played in Brazil.
Brazilian Teenager Lincoln Henrique Scores Incredible Zlatan-Esque Volley
Mar 23, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGlD9u8Clkc
Lincoln Henrique might just be a name to listen out for, if this astonishing goal is anything to go by.
The Brazilian teenager was playing for his club, Gremio, against Ypiranga on Sunday when he scored a sensational Zlatan Ibrahimovic-esque volley.
As the cross was delivered from the right-hand side, the 17-year-old showed impressive awareness and incredible technique to adjust his body and backheel the ball on the full and into the bottom corner.
It was reminiscent of a goal Ibrahimovic scored for Paris Saint-Germain against Bastia in 2013, in what became known as the "scorpion goal."
If Lincoln possesses anything like the ability of the Swedish superstar, we could be hearing lots more of him in the years to come.
[YouTube]
Ronaldinho, Fluminense Agree to Contract Termination: Latest Details, Reaction
Sep 29, 2015
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 01: Ronaldinho of Fluminense during the Brasileirao Series A 2015 match between Fluminense and Gremio at Maracana Stadium on August 01, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Carmen Flores/Getty Images)
Ronaldinho will depart Fluminense less than three months after his arrival at the Brazilian club following the termination of his contract by mutual consent.
The former Ballon d'Or winner only arrived at Fluminense in July and departs after making just nine largely ineffective appearances.
Per the club's website (h/t ESPN FC), Fluminense acknowledged the contribution made by Ronaldinho and the professionalism with which he conducted himself:
Fluminense hereby announces the breaking of their contract with Ronaldinho Gaucho in an amicable form and in mutual agreement between both parties. Since first contract with directors, the athlete and his representatives treated the club with professionalism and respect. Fluminense and Ronaldinho will proceed with ties maintained and plans to work on other projects in the future. It's important to mention that the signing corresponded with our expectations in relation to marketing returns, increased ticket sales, sales of shirts and number of socios.
The 35-year-old joined the Rio de Janeiro outfit following a short spell at Mexican club Queretaro.
He endured poor form in the matches he played at Fluminense and now seems a far cry from the player he once was, per Brazilian football writer Paulo Freitas:
Ronaldinho Gaúcho played only 9 games for Fluminense and was poor, he didn't score any goals, made no assists and was booed by Flu fans.
A World Cup winner with Brazil in 2002, and a Champions League and two-time La Liga winner with Barcelona in the mid-2000s, Ronaldinho was crowned FIFA World Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005.
However, he has consistently failed to perform anywhere near to that sort of level since departing Barca for AC Milan 2008.
Following his time in Italy Ronaldinho had spells at Flamengo and Atletico Mineiro before joining Queretaro.
It is unclear whether he will now choose to retire or move to another club, but football writer Kristian Sturt has a speculative suggestion for where the legendary Brazilian should move to next:
Ronaldinho has canceled his contract with Fluminense by mutual consent. He his once again a free agent. @QPR?!
While Ronaldinho still shows flashes of his former brilliance with the odd piece of stunning skill, he no longer seems to have the drive needed to perform at a consistently high level.
However, he will undoubtedly attract offers from a variety of clubs as his commercial value is still significant.
Ronda Rousey Cheers on Brazilian Football Side Flamengo with Jose Aldo
Aug 4, 2015
After destroying Bethe Correia in 34 seconds in Brazil on Saturday night at UFC 190, Ronda Rousey is staying in the country for a holiday.
She attended her first-ever football game at the famous Maracana Stadium, where she watched Flamengo play Santos and was photographed wearing a Flamengo shirt alongside fellow UFC superstar Jose Aldo.
While wearing Flamengo's famous colours and watching the game, she wrote on Instagram, "That moment when you realize life is great and you can eat all the hotdogs you want!!! Had a blast at my first-ever soccer game."
Flamengo have traditionally been the most popular team in Brazil, with legends Zico and Ronaldinho among their former stars.
[Twitter, Instagram]
Neymar, Barcelona, Santos Sued Over Unpaid Fees: Latest Details, Reaction
Jun 17, 2015
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 29: Neymar of Brazil sings the national anthem prior to kickoff during the international friendly match between Brazil and Chile at the Emirates Stadium on March 29, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)
Brazil star Neymar is to be investigated by a court for fraud in relation to his transfer from Santos to Barcelona.
According to Reuters, a judge has given the go-ahead for the process following a legal report filed by Brazilian investment fund DIS.
BARCELONA, SPAIN - JUNE 03: Neymar (C) holds his new jersey with the FC Barcelona Vice-President Josep Maria Bartomeu (L) and FC Barcelona Sport Director Andoni Zubizarreta during the official presentation as a new player of the FC Barcelona at Camp Nou
According to the piece, the company owned 40 per cent of the player’s rights prior to his move to La Liga and “alleges it was paid less than half the cash it was entitled to” after the player’s transfer. Sky News note that DIS alleges “corruption and swindling” against the player and a plethora of other key parties.
Neymar, as noted by the BBC, was said to have cost Barcelona a reported €53 million. But DIS is claiming that the sum was much higher—€83.3 million according to the aforementioned piece—and subsequently, it has been defrauded out of a substantial amount.
DIS owned 40 percent of Neymar's rights when he was at Santos.
Incumbent Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu, who will stand for the presidency again at the club’s upcoming elections, his predecessor Sandro Rosell and Neymar’s father were all cited in the lawsuit, as well as Barcelona and the player himself. Santos and two of their executives have also been named as part of the investigation.
Part of the upcoming process will see the court peruse details of other bids for Neymar while he was at Santos between 2009 and 2013, including those received from Manchester City, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
BERLIN, GERMANY - JUNE 06: Neymar of Barcelona kisses the trophy after the UEFA Champions League Final between Juventus and FC Barcelona at Olympiastadion on June 6, 2015 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
A date for a trial has yet to be set. According to the BBC piece, Barcelona are also already challenging the case, as are both Bartomeu and Rosell.
Neymar helped Barcelona to a historic treble last season with a string of memorable displays, winning the La Liga title, Copa del Rey and Champions League. The 23-year-old is currently skippering Brazil at the 2015 Copa America in Chile.
