Botafogo lost to Pachuca (MEX) 3-0, this Wednesday (11/12), and was eliminated from the Intercontinental Cup. The game took place at the 974 Stadium in Qatar. The black and white delegation left Brazil late on Sunday night, after a duel against São Paulo, and disembarked in the Asian country after a 15-hour flight.
However, the plane that took the team to Qatar is the subject of strong controversy. To get to Qatar in the shortest possible time, John Textor, owner of SAF do Botafogo, arranged a private plane from the New England Patriots, an NFL team.
Botafogo paid to rent the plane, but some problems along the way hindered Alvinegro.
What is the controversy with the Botafogo plane?
The Botafogo players did not like the travel conditions for the World Cup, understanding that this would have even harmed the game. The club had requested a plane with fully reclining seats, but only the pilot and co-pilot’s seats met this requirement.
Botafogo even considered looking for another plane, which would better meet the conditions, but lack of time prevented it. The plane in the form in which it was requested arrived only for the return of the athletes to Brazil.
The club paid for a plane with 100% reclining seats. As it was not answered, he will file a representation against Omni Air International, the air taxi company that was responsible for intermediating the charter of the New England Patriots plane, in addition to asking for reimbursement of the amount.
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After the defeat to Pachuca, defender Alexander Barboza criticized the plane.
– I had the dream of lifting three more cups, but it wasn’t possible. There is no body that can take it. There were many games in a row. The trip was long, more than 15 hours. The plane was not the best, it was a weak plane. And that mattered. We tried to play, we had goal situations, but it didn’t work. The year was incredible for everyone, for the fans and for the club – said the defender, in an interview in the mixed zone.
MORE: Will Artur Jorge leave Botafogo? What is the coach’s current situation?
Why was an NFL team’s plane called weak? There are explanations for the revolt after behind-the-scenes revelations about Botafogo’s trip to Qatar.
Why did Barboza complain about the plane?
According to an article published by the website “Uol”, the trip on the Patriots aircraft generated great revolt among the squad. There was discomfort and complaints. There were not enough rows of three chairs for each player to go to Qatar.
There are also reports that many of the most comfortable seats were occupied by directors.
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What are the Intercontinental Cup games?
Game 1 – African/Asian/Pacific Playoff
- Date: September 22, 2024
- Clubes: Al Ain 6 x 2 Auckland City
- Location: Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
Game 2 – African/Asian/Pacific Cup
- Date: October 29, 2024
- Clubes: Al-Ahly 3 x 0 Al Ain
- Location: Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt
Game 3 – Derby of the Americas
- Date: December 11, 2024
- Clubs: Botafogo 0 x 3 Pachuca
- Location: Stadium 974, Doha, Qatar
Game 4 – Challenger Cup
- Date: December 14, 2024
- Clubs: Pachuca x Al-Ahly
- Location: Stadium 974, Doha, Qatar
Game 5 – Intercontinental Cup Final
- Date: December 18, 2024
- Clubs: Real Madrid x winner of Game 4
- Location: Lusail National Stadium, Doha, Qatar
What is the prize pool for the Intercontinental Cup?
- Champion – US$5 million (R$29 million)
- Vice – US$4 million (R$23 million)
- Semifinalists – US$2.5 million (R$14.4 million)
- Eliminated in the quarterfinals – Al-Ain and Botafogo: US$ 1 million (R$ 5.7 million)
- 6th place – Auckland City (New Zealand) – US$500 thousand (R$2.8 million)
