Coach Abel Ferreira took a stop when questioned by the press about the use of synthetic lawn in Brazilian football.
“Enough, just! There are much more important things that you have to talk about as violence and racism, ”said on Friday (14) during a news conference about Derby in the matches of the Paulista Championship final. The first match will take place at 6.30 pm on Sunday (16) at Allianz Parque.
“We can change the form, just talk about it. Especially for Brazilians who spent their lifetime playing in the clay, on the street, in the court full of holes. Talking about a top synthetic and a natural top lawn… I think it is enough. These are political issues and it is sure that someone does not want Palmeiras to play at their stadium, ”said Abel in reference to the questioning of the use of the synthetic lawn. In February, several athletes mobilized a campaign on social networks against artificial grass in official competitions.
“Enough, just! There are much more important things that you have to talk about as violence and racism. There must be a political interest behind it. It doesn’t interest me, ”said the coach to the press.
He also made a comparison between the lawns that will be used in the finals. The second match will be in the neo Chemistry Arena, which has a natural lawn. During the 2024 Brasileirão, coach Palmeiras stated that the corinthians stadium lawn was one of the best in the country.
“I mean that two years ago we won the national championship with more points outside than at home. Just to demystify some weak minds. Last year we lost national playing at home. So, let’s value the merit to Corinthians who arrived in the final, merit to Palmeiras who arrived despite the criticism. Everyone wants to win Palmeiras. This title is worth a lot. Same as a Brasileirão, a Brazil Cup. There are two large stadiums, two large fans and two large lawns. Be natural or hybrid, ”he explained.
Despite the complaint of opponents, it has always defended the use of artificial lawn. Palmeiras and Botafogo are the club A clubs with unnatural grass in their stadiums.
Campaign against the synthetic
In February, Neymar, Craque do Santos, Gabigol, from Cruzeiro, and Lucas Moura, from São Paulo, were some of the athletes who positioned themselves against the use of artificial grass in national competitions.
They participated in a campaign on social networks with the title “#Nonogramosynthetic”.
“Concerning to see the direction that Brazilian football is taking. With the size and representativeness of our sport, this debate should not even exist. In the most respected leagues in the world, players are heard and investments are made to ensure the quality of the lawn in the stadiums. The solution to a bad lawn is to make a good lawn, simple as that. Football is natural, not synthetic, ”says the campaign text.
