Author: Chandra Moulee Das
On Monday, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) released the audio of the conversation between the referee on the pitch and the VAR booth during Botafogo’s victory over Flamengo in the Brazilian Championship on Sunday. The recording sheds light on the decision not to send off Thiago Maia, who only received a yellow card for kicking Di Placido, a decision that sparked complaints from Botafogo fans after Rafael was sent off.
During the match, Di Placido and Maia went in search of the ball, but Di Placido received a strong shot to the leg. Although the decision on the pitch was a yellow card, referee Edina Alves Batista went to the VAR booth to consider a possible red card. However, he opted to take the yellow card.
The audio of the VAR conversation said:
Leila Naiara Moreira da Cruz (assistant 2): “The ball was in play (…). It was a foul, okay? It’s for a yellow card, okay?”
Daiane Caroline Muniz dos Santos (VAR): “We have strength in this contact, okay? The player in red doesn’t touch the ball. And using excessive force, he hits his opponent’s shin, okay? (…) The player, he misses the ball completely and hits his opponent hard in the shin“.
Edina Alves Batista: “He comes to kick the ball and the two collide. (…) He misses the shot, you know? He’s going for the ball, Daiane, see? I’ll stick with yellow“.
Thiago Maia suffered an injury, but has fortunately been cleared of any fractures. However, it is unlikely that he will play in the next game against Racing in Buenos Aires, as he began treatment at the Ninho do Urubu on Monday. Erick Pulgar, who recently returned from a foot injury, seems to be Maia’s natural replacement. As an alternative, David Luiz could also be the replacement, but he is currently going through a difficult time, as evidenced by his recent negative reception from the Flamengo fans after Sunday’s defeat.