“Reduction of Abel Ferreira’s punishment causes outrage at Palmeiras.”

Abel Ferreira sees punishment reduced, but Palmeiras erupts against controversial STJD decision

Controversy is brewing in Brazilian football! Portuguese coach Abel Ferreira had his suspension reduced by just one game by the Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD), but the outrage at Palmeiras is total. The club not only questions the decision but demands equal justice for all, denouncing a punishment they consider arbitrary and unprecedented.

On Wednesday, the appeal presented by Abel Ferreira’s defense was reviewed, resulting in a reduction of the suspension from eight to seven games. However, two of those games have already been served, along with one more recently against Corinthians. This means there are still four matches left for the Portuguese coach to serve, a sanction that Palmeiras classifies as disproportionate and unfair.

The case has become even more explosive due to the evidence presented: videos that contradict the initial report from the referee in the match against Fluminense and a detailed analysis of the game against São Paulo, where Abel received two yellow cards at different moments, and not a direct red, which, according to the club, does not justify such a severe suspension.

The STJD’s decision was not unanimous. Of the three judges who evaluated the appeal, two voted for a reduction of the penalty—one suggested two games, the other four—but the president of the panel opted to maintain the seven-game suspension. A true shock for Palmeiras, who feel like victims of selective and unjust sports justice.

The football director of Palmeiras, Anderson Barros, did not hide his indignation and harshly criticized the stance of the STJD in strong statements:

“The most important thing now is to demand from the STJD and the committees the same attitude they had with Abel. We do not agree, we find it extremely misguided, arbitrary, but we hope they can now have the same kind of attitude towards everyone who commits any kind of action against refereeing, the entity, against whomever it may be.”

Barros further added that the punishment imposed on Abel Ferreira is unprecedented in the history of Sports Justice and that his coach is a competent professional, unjustly penalized for questioning refereeing decisions, something that, according to him, is natural in such a turbulent moment in current football.

“They are using the figure of Abel Ferreira for a change, but it is important to note: it is an extremely arbitrary punishment, especially given the fact that occurred in the game, there would be no reason for this type of penalty. We hope that this kind of measure is applied to everyone, but so far we have not seen this happen with other similar cases.”

Palmeiras is, therefore, on high alert, ready to fight against what it considers an unjust decision that threatens the integrity of sports justice in Brazilian football. The saga surrounding Abel Ferreira and the STJD promises even more heated chapters, with the club demanding transparency, justice, and equality for all involved in the sport.

Meanwhile, Abel Ferreira is preparing to serve the remaining four games of his suspension, in a tense wait that could directly affect Palmeiras’ performance in the upcoming competitions. The tension couldn’t be higher, and Brazilian football is keeping a close eye on the next moves in this legal and sporting battle.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.