Author: Soorya G
In the thrilling 4-4 draw between Grêmio and Corinthians on Monday night at the Arena Neo Química, one incident in particular stole the show in the final moments of the game. After a cross from Ferreira, the ball made contact with Yuri Alberto’s arm before going out for a corner. The Gremio players were furious with the refereeing decision, and president Alberto Guerra was quick to express his disapproval.
President Alberto Guerra made a statement denouncing the refereeing and announced that Grêmio would formally complain to the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) about what he considered to be a blatant error.
“I can’t let that pass. It’s a disgrace. A very clear penalty was not given. I’m not absolving the referee, who should have seen it, but the VAR had a duty to intervene, and it didn’t do so. Gremio once again suffered. We’ve already filed two complaints with the CBF and we’ll do it again“President Alberto Guerra lamented.
“We were only three games behind Botafogo. That’s the size of Gremio’s defeat. I can’t help but express what everyone is thinking. Let’s keep protesting” he added.
Coach Renato Portaluppi also criticized the refereeing decision, attacking both Wilton Pereira Sampaio and the video assistant referee (VAR), Emerson de Almeida Ferreira, who has been the target of complaints from Internacional for his decisions in two Brazilian Championship matches.
“To make mistakes is human, but when you have the VAR tool and know the rules of the game, it’s unacceptable not to have given that penalty. Even the Corinthians players said it was a penalty. I doubt anyone could watch it and say it wasn’t a penalty. I asked the referee and he said that the player’s arm was behind him. The CBF should release the audio of this incident. I’d like to ask Emerson and also Seneme. We know the rules too. The referee waited a long time to analyze the situation. There was no need to wait so long. We could have closed down Botafogo’s goal” he lamented.
The controversial incident occurred in the 47th minute. While covering the Corinthians striker, he stretched out his arm, deflecting the ball. Wilton Pereira Sampaio initially allowed play to continue, but after a VAR check by Emerson de Almeida Ferreira, the match continued with a corner kick. The Gremio players got up from the bench and asked the referee to review the incident on the monitor, which he didn’t do. While the players were waiting, the Corinthians fans threw a sneaker at Luan, who was preparing to take the corner.
Despite the events of the previous game, Gremio will be relieved with the fitness of legendary striker Luis Suárez, who just two months ago was suffering from a knee injury that could have forced the veteran into retirement. However, Suárez had gone nine consecutive games without scoring for Grêmio, since the 5-1 win over Coritiba. Since then, the Uruguayan has turned things around, with three goals and an assist in his last four games. Suárez’s contract with Gremio expires at the end of the season, and a reunion with his former Barcelona team-mates at Inter Miami seems to be just around the corner.