O federal deputy Júlio Lopes (PP-RJ), an avowed Flamengo fan, announced this Tuesday (07/10), through social media, that summoned Ilbert Estevam da Silvavideo referee of the match between Palmeiras and São Paulo, to provide clarification on the controversial moves in the classic played last Sunday.
Until now, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has not released the VAR audios relating to the match, which motivated the parliamentarian to demand explanations from the entity’s president, Samir Xaud. According to Lopes, there is “something strange” in the air and fans have the right to transparency.
– Football is our national passion, but it also needs clarity. I asked the president of the CBF to release the VAR audio from the game between São Paulo and Palmeiras and I will send a letter to the Chamber’s Sports Committee to call on the referee to provide clarifications. The fan deserves respect and transparent decisions – declared the deputy.
FEDERAL DEPUTY FOR PP, JÚLIO LOPES, SPEAKS ABOUT THE SUMMONS OF VIDEO REFEREE ILBERT ESTEVAM DA SILVA (SP) FOR THE PALMEIRAS X SÃO PAULO GAME pic.twitter.com/Vh4s6jlxSC
— Paparazzo Rubro-Negro (@PapaRubroNegro) October 7, 2025
As a rule, the CBF can only release audio of unreviewed moves on the field monitor with authorization from FIFA, and the entity would already be trying to obtain this permission. The main referee of the match, Ramon Abatti Abel, did not consult the monitor on any of the contested moves.
Among the main moments of complaint are a tackle by Allan on Gonzalo Tapia inside the area, which could result in a penalty, and a sole by Andreas Pereira on Marcos Antônio, which could result in expulsion – both ignored by the referee.
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Palmeiras x São Paulo arbitration was dismissed?
Hours after the controversies in the classic between São Paulo and Palmeiras, won by the Alviverde team 3-2, the CBF announced the removal of referee Ramon Abatti Abel, responsible for blowing the whistle at Morumbis.
The body also decided to remove the video referee (VAR), Ilbert Estevam da Silva. According to an official statement, both will undergo “training, improvement and internal evaluation” before returning to work. The same procedure was adopted for the Red Bull Bragantino x Grêmio refereeing team, composed of Lucas Casagrande and Gilberto Rodrigues Castro Junior.
Repercussion after the classic
Shortly after the match, the president of São Paulo, Julio Casares, contacted Samir Xaud, president of the CBF, to complain about the conduct of the arbitration. He cited three main moves: a tackle by Allan on Tapia inside the Palmeiras area, a possible foul by Gustavo Gómez on the same player that led to Palmeiras’ first goal, and entries considered violent by Gómez, Raphael Veiga and Andreas Pereira.
According to ESPN’s investigation, Casares heard from Xaud and Rodrigo Cintra – head of the CBF Arbitration Commission – that the club’s complaints were well founded, although the moves were not detailed.
Former referee and commentator Carlos Eugênio Simon also considered that the penalty to Tapia should have been awarded.
“It was a clear and unmarked penalty. Allan slips and hits Tapia. Even without intention, it is a foul, and inside the area it is a penalty. The referee and VAR made a mistake.”
Post-game confusion
In the summary, Ramon Abatti Abel reported insults directed at him in the changing room tunnel. According to the referee, São Paulo directors Carlos Belmonte and Rui Costa verbally insulted him, calling the refereeing a “disgrace” and using profanity. Both were identified by the match delegate.
On the field, São Paulo opened 2-0, but saw Palmeiras turn it around with goals from Vitor Roque, Flaco López and Sosa.
Official note from São Paulo
The club released an official statement expressing “deep indignation” with the referee’s performance and claiming that the errors “had a direct influence on the result of the game”. São Paulo classified the failure to award the penalty against Gonzalo Tapia as “scandalous” and criticized the VAR’s omission.
The note also mentions other ignored moves, such as an elbow and a stomp by Gustavo Gómez on Tapia, a cart by Veiga on Enzo and a sole by Andreas Pereira on Marcos Antônio – all, according to the club, subject to expulsion.
“São Paulo demands that the CBF Arbitration Commission adopt immediate measures in the face of yet another disastrous performance, which compromises the credibility of the championship and the work of athletes and managers”, concluded the text.
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