The CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation) sent a letter to FIFA with a formal complaint against the intervention of the VAR (video referee) in the annulment of Vinicius Junior’s goal 21 minutes into the game against Scotland, on Wednesday (24).
The score was already 1-0 for Brazil, a goal from Vini. In the play in question, as Scotland played the ball, Vini Jr. stole the ball from defender Hendry at the edge of the area, charged towards the goal and finished off Gunn.
Mexican referee César Ramos, however, was called by the VAR and, after analyzing the video, awarded a foul to the Brazilian striker.
The letter is addressed to the president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, and signed by the president of the CBF, Samir Xaud.
In the document, Xaud defends the use of VAR, but considers that it should only be used in matters of clear errors. In case of doubt, the decision would be made by the referee on the field.
To prove this position, the letter cited plays from games from other teams in which the match judge did not accept the VAR’s position and maintained his initial decision.
The CBF does not consider that the complaint will have a practical effect, but considers that it was important to take a stand “in the face of such a gross error”.
The highest body of Brazilian football also complained specifically about the selection of the Mexican referee, who already had a controversial history with the Brazilian team during the Russian Cup in 2018.
“The Mexican referee assigned to the match between Brazil and Scotland is, without a doubt, an experienced and qualified professional. However, he was also the referee for Brazil’s game against Switzerland at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, when Switzerland’s equalizer was awarded despite a foul committed against the Brazilian defender [Miranda] immediately before the goal. On that occasion, VAR confirmed the goal, and the episode generated considerable controversy and concern in Brazilian football”, highlights an excerpt from the letter.
At the end of the document, the CBF suggests that César Ramos should no longer be selected in Brazil’s World Cup games. When contacted, FIFA did not comment.
