Author: Shreyas Sharma
The consequences of Bahia’s defeat to Flamengo continue to have repercussions for the Esquadrão board. In response to what they consider to be controversial refereeing decisions in the recent Brasileirão match against Flamengo, the directors of the Bahia Tricolor have taken the initiative to file a formal complaint with the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF). Even after the release of the VAR (Video Assistant Referee) audio recordings, the club’s representatives remain convinced that they were unfairly disadvantaged.
Cadu Santoro, the club’s director of soccer, said that Bahia had already contacted the CBF and reiterated its disagreement with the refereeing decisions during the game against Flamengo.
Santoro said: “Bahia will always be on the lookout. Even with the proper explanations, the club does not agree with the decisions taken. This is not the first time we have spoken out to the CBF. Let’s hope these mistakes aren’t repeated in Bahia’s next games“.
One of Bahia’s main complaints revolves around the sending off of Kanu during the first half of the match. Referee Sávio Pereira Sampaio initially gave the defender a yellow card, but then increased the punishment to a red card after a VAR review, a decision that Bahia vehemently disputes.
Another controversial point concerns the penalty committed on Bruno Henrique, which ended up determining the result of the match (1-0 in favor of Flamengo). The awarding of the penalty was vehemently contested by Bahia’s players and board members.
Wilson Seneme, the CBF’s head of refereeing, defended Sávio Pereira Sampaio and said that the referee correctly interpreted and applied the rules on the pitch.
Bahia are currently oscillating between the relegation zone and a safe sixteenth place.