The crisis in Flamengo gained another chapter. Midfielder Gerson and right-back Varela exchanged aggression in training today (15), the eve of the semifinal of the Copa do Brasil against Grêmio.
What happened
The players argued after a bid during the activity, and the friction evolved into the blows of fact. The information was first published by “ge” and confirmed by UOL.
Uruguayan Varela was punched in the face by Gerson and broke his nose.
The Rubro-Negro football summit met after the episode to try to calm things down. Sampaoli also spoke with the group’s leaders afterwards.
The board considered the episode as an “intervero” and stressed that the players evaluated the case as something that “is part of a disputed training session”.
The tendency is for Gerson and Varela to be listed for the game against Grêmio, even after the fight. Varela will wear a protective mask on his face.
From foul to punch
The confusion between the two players happened because Varela didn’t like a tackle by Gerson during training. The players still argued on the lawn and the atmosphere became so tense that both left the activity. But the fight continued, with the Uruguayan taking the initiative to go to the blows.
Gerson dodged a punch from Varela and then landed the blow squarely on the winger’s nose who, according to witnesses, got his face badly bruised.
In a note, Flamengo said that “the clash between athletes Gerson and Varela was resolved internally by the football department. The players understand that the episode is part of a disputed training session. The preparation for tomorrow’s game follows normally”. The club did not provide information on punishment for those involved.
After the episode, Filipe Luís talked to the other players saying that the squad needed to change their behavior. Meanwhile, Varela was taken to a hospital, where a fractured nose was found.
Second case of assault
At the end of last month, striker Pedro was attacked by physical trainer Pablo Fernández. The number 9 shirt received three slaps and a punch in the locker room, after the victory over Atlético-MG, for the Brazilian.
Pablo Fernández was fired, but the episode left a scar on the relationship between Pedro and the coaching staff. Sampaoli and the attacker went to have their first conversation after the case just mentioned yesterday (14), at CT.
At the same time, the club’s organizations have been protesting after Olímpia’s elimination in the Libertadores. After a tumultuous landing at the international airport in Rio de Janeiro, they graffitied the walls of CT Ninho do Urubu, last Saturday (11) and extended banners against the board today (15).
Game problem?
Right-back Varela was quoted to occupy a place in the starting lineup in tomorrow’s decisive game.
Wesley, who has been playing regularly in the starting line-up, is suspended. Matheuzinho is the other option for the sector.
Midfielder Gerson had served his suspension in the first leg and, at first, was available to coach Jorge Sampaoli for the match. Flamengo has an advantage over Grêmio for winning 2-0 in Porto Alegre.
2023-08-15 19:03:16
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