Flamengo released an official note this Friday (17) expressing dissatisfaction with the way the Brazilian Doping Control Authority (ABCD) conducted a surprise action at the Ninho do Urubu Training Center.
But what happened? Why didn’t Fla like the attitude? Sporting News shows.
MORE: Is Wendell injured? What happened to the side in Grêmio x São Paulo?
Flamengo and ABCD: controversy
According to the club, the presence of agents during morning training directly interfered with the preparation for the decisive clash against Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras, scheduled for Sunday (19). The team claims that the visit changed the planned routine and exposed strategic moments of the activity.
According to the statement, three of the nine ABCD representatives fully attended the tactical movements led by the technical committee, something considered inappropriate by the red-black football department. Internally, club members classified the episode as a “disorder” on the eve of an important game.
This Friday’s training was considered one of the most relevant of the week, as it included tactical adjustments and rehearsed plays led by Filipe Luís. In addition, ten athletes were selected for the anti-doping test.
The situation also caused discomfort as it occurred a few days after the squad had already been tested by the South American Football Confederation, which carried out tests on all semi-finalists of the Copa Libertadores da América.
Official note from Flamengo!
“The Clube de Regatas do Flamengo expresses its discomfort with the stance adopted by the Brazilian Doping Control Authority (ABCD), which carried out, this Friday (17), the day of the main activity before the match on Sunday (19), an action… pic.twitter.com/58dcIQNyRt
— Raisa Simplicio (@simpraisa) October 17, 2025
Old controversies
It is worth remembering that Flamengo and ABCD have had previous conflicts. In 2023, Gabriel Barbosa was reported for attempted fraud in an anti-doping test, resulting in a two-year suspension. The attacker appealed and, after a long process, was acquitted in July 2025, when he was already playing for Cruzeiro Esporte Clube.
MORE: Abel Ferreira at Nottingham Forest? Understand the situation with the Palmeiras coach
Below is the official note released by Flamengo in full:
“The Clube de Regatas do Flamengo expresses its discomfort with the stance adopted by the Brazilian Doping Control Authority (ABCD), which carried out, this Friday (17th), the day of the main activity before the match on Sunday (19th), a surprise action at the Ninho do Urubu Training Center.
The visit, marked by the requirement for in-person monitoring of all work on the field — including in moments that are traditionally restricted to the coaching staff and players — disorganized the scheduled routine and unduly exposed the group’s privacy. Of the nine ABCD representatives present, three fully watched the team’s tactical movements before a decisive engagement at the weekend.
Furthermore, the intervention interrupted the warm-up, prevented activation exercises and delayed the start of activities, directly affecting the conduct of training.
The club recalls that, this same week, the red and black squad had already been fully tested by Conmebol, in a procedure that involved the four semi-finalists of the Libertadores.
Flamengo reiterates its unwavering commitment to transparency and the fight against doping in sport, but understands that such actions must observe the principles of equality, planning and respect for technical privacy.”
