Flamengo received inspectors in the morning; The São Paulo club did not have the same stance as its Rio rival, which complained about ‘surprise action’ at Ninho do Urubu
The team from the Brazilian Doping Control Authority (ABCD) didn’t just visit Ninho do Urubu, CT, this Friday (17). Athletes were also subjected to anti-doping tests at the Football Academy. Paulistas and Rio de Janeiro faces each other on Sunday, at 4pm, at Maracanã. According to Palmeiras, athletes from the squad underwent a doping test this afternoon, as occurred in the morning at Flamengo. The São Paulo club did not have the same stance as its Rio rival, which complained about ‘surprise action’ at Ninho do Urubu and argued that the visit disrupted planning for Sunday’s match. This is the fifth time in 2025 that anti-doping tests have been carried out on Palmeiras players at the Football Academy – three from ABCD and two from Conmebol.
It is customary for the doping control body to make surprise visits to clubs. This happens with all Brazilian football teams. Flamengo, however, expressed discomfort because it considers that its planning was compromised, since ABCD representatives have to monitor activities on site.
“Of the nine ABCD representatives present, three fully watched the team’s tactical movements before a decisive commitment at the weekend”, claimed Flamengo. Palmeiras leads the Brasileirão with 61 points, three more than vice-leader Flamengo, hence the double importance of Sunday’s duel between the two, at Maracanã, valid for the 29th round.
*With information from Estadão Conteúdo
Published by Fernando Dias
