The release of VAR audio from the São Paulo 2 x 3 Palmeiras match, held last Sunday (5), increased the pressure on Ramon Abatti Abel, field referee, and Ilbert Estevam da Silva, responsible for video refereeing.
They had already been removed by the CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation) for mistakes made at Morumbi, the clearest of which was not awarding a penalty when Allan, from Palmeiras, hit Tapia, from São Paulo. The score, at that moment, pointed to 2-0 for São Paulo.
“It is indisputable that it was a penalty. Regardless of whether it was accidental, there was contact with the opponent, and the ball was available to him. The CBF itself has already recognized this. The point is different,” he told Sheet former referee Sálvio Spínola, commentator for TV Record.
For Spínola, there were no problems in the communication protocol between the referees: “There is an open and silent check throughout the match. The VAR is always working.” However, according to him, a series of worrying technical errors committed in the bid weigh against Abatti Abel e Silva.
“The referee described to the VAR the same thing that the VAR saw in the image: a slip. And then they didn’t recommend the review because they had the same opinion. But on top of that there are two wrong technical opinions, which is even more aggravating”, he said.
For Spínola, the move easily fits into the application of rule 12, endorsed by Ifab (International Football Association Board), the body that regulates global arbitration), which deals with reckless or reckless actions.
“Technically, if the goalkeeper misses a punch on a cross and accidentally knocks down the attacker, it’s a penalty. The ball was for Tapia, and the São Paulo player just doesn’t reach it because he’s knocked down. The key to the error is the availability of the ball, he didn’t see that. It’s simple.”
Sálvio also compared the interpretation to the error made in the Corinthians x Internacional match, in the 2005 Brazilian Championship. On that occasion, Márcio Rezende de Freitas did not whistle a penalty after goalkeeper Fábio Costa, from Corinthians, collided with midfielder Tinga, from Internacional.
“It was a serious error like that, but at the time without review. This is unacceptable with the VAR. I’m sure that Ramon himself saw it afterwards and noticed the penalty. Just like Márcio”, said Spínola.
The move occurred nine minutes into the second half. Midfielder Allan slipped on the field and brought down Chilean striker Gonzalo Tapia inside the area. Referee Ramon Abatti Abel understood that it was a normal shock and continued the game.
“It slipped, it slipped. The player slips, they are both looking at the ball, he can follow,” said Ramon.
Those responsible for video checking still reinforce Abatti’s field decision. “Ramon, that’s exactly what you narrate, ok?”, records the video referee. “There was clearly a slip.”
The first Brazilian referee to referee a World Cup final, former commentator Arnaldo Cezar Coelho considered the decision not to award the penalty inexplicable and stated that the episode exposes the lack of preparation of the CBF Arbitration Commission.
“What is a cart in football? It’s the guy who won’t arrive in time and slides. If he hits the opponent, it’s a foul. For the referee to claim that the player slipped? It’s all wrong,” he said.
“And, through the audio, the VAR was taken by the judge’s explanation. A FIFA referee, who whistled the final of the Olympics, but who exposed an absurd collective error. There is a lack of command and reference in the arbitration committee,” he added.
The vision is similar to that of Carlos Eugênio Simon, referee of three World Cups, currently a commentator for ESPN Brasil. “With the audios, not much changed. They made a mistake: both the referee and the VAR. Of course it wasn’t a penalty. The audio only demonstrates the lack of knowledge of the rule, the penalty is indisputable”, he stated.
The move was not the only one that generated protests. Among other complaints, the São Paulo team complained about the non-expulsion of Andreas Pereira for a harsh tackle on Marcos Antônio, also when the score was 2-0. Pereira’s foot slipped on the ball and hit his rival’s shin.
“Despite slipping, he catches above the ankle. Let’s be clear: I made mistakes too. The yellow can be based on the rule, but, for me, it’s a serious game. He used an interpretation of a reckless move”, said Spínola.
When the audios were released, outbursts could be heard. When he is surrounded by São Paulo players and hears complaints from Luciano, the tricolor striker, Abatti says: “Do you see how complex it is to officiate Brazilian football? There’s no peace! It’s difficult, right?”
For Arnaldo Cezar Coelho, there is “a toxic environment, with little room for improvement”. “We need technical representatives on the Arbitration Commission, but also those who know how to deal with managers. The scale is inhumane,” said the former judge.
