The Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) today criticized the statements made by Portuguese physical trainer at Palmeiras João Martins, whom it considers xenophobic, and announced that it will file a lawsuit against the Superior Court of Sports Justice (STDJ).
“The Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) deeply regrets what happened yesterday [domingo] assigned by Palmeiras’ technical assistant, João Martins, to the post-match press conference. The deplorable act went far beyond the arbitration’s weekly complaints.”began writing, in a statement, to CBF.
The highest body of Brazilian football also denounced what it defined as a “parade of rudeness and a childish and even xenophobic attempt to reduce the relevance of Brazilian football in Europe, even showing ignorance about the championship itself, which has had three champions, two champions, with different ‘teams’ that won consecutively”.
This statement comes a day after João Martins, who managed Palmeiras and replaced the suspended Abel Ferreira, in the 2-2 draw with Atlético Paranaense for the 13th round of the Brasileirão, said that “it is bad for the system that Palmeiras has had two years in a row”.
“They ignore the idea that it’s the most competitive football in the world because they win a lot, but they also win a lot because they often don’t let the best win.”denounced the Portuguese physical trainer.
For the Portuguese, what happened on Sunday was “a disgrace”, he said, criticizing the “gross mistakes” made during the game in his opinion.
“Brazil specializes in wasting time, that’s why you don’t see Brazil matches in Europe”he continued.
These statements about the behavior of the Brazilian player also received reactions from the Brazilian authorities, with the CBF saying that “the behavior of the Brazilian player, so criticized by the relevant official, does not correspond to reality, as far as Brazil country is the world with the most players playing abroad, including the Portuguese national team”.
“The CBF forwards the video with the statements of the Palmeiras professional to the president and lawyer of STJD so that he can reveal what would be the plan or system in Brazilian football that prevents the best from winning”concluded the entity that manages Brazilian football.
Also today, Palmeiras came forward in defense of the Portuguese physical trainer, criticizing the aggressive official note and also the fact that the CBF used the word “xenophobic”.
“Why did a Portuguese professional’s opinion of Brazilian football cause so much discomfort to the CBF when the entity itself, as is well known, is looking for a foreign coach to manage the Brazilian team?”Palmeiras asked in a statement.
The green is still asking “what would have been the ‘xenophobic’ behavior of João Martins” and whether it “praised the quality of Brazilian players”.
Source: DN
