Soccer

CBF appoints referee for Flamengo vs Atlético-MG, for the Copa do Brasil

After controversies in the Brasileirão involving refereeing, the duel between Fla x Galo for the knockout tournament raises criticism again with a new choice

CBF appoints Raphael Claus as referee for Flamengo vs Atlético-MG and raises criticism for previous errors made by the referee in Flamengo games - photo: CRF
CBF appoints Raphael Claus as referee for Flamengo vs Atlético-MG and raises criticism for previous errors made by the referee in Flamengo games - photo: CRF

28 Jul 2025 | 20:34 |

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The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has appointed Raphael Claus as the main referee for the match between Flamengo and Atlético-MG , scheduled for this Thursday (31), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, for the first leg of the round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil. The decision rekindles the concerns of Flamengo fans, who recently felt harmed by refereeing decisions in the Brazilian Championship.


In the last meeting between the two clubs, Ramon Abatti Abel's performance was heavily criticized for mistakes made against "Mais Querido ." Now, the choice of another player mired in controversy is raising alarm bells among fans and behind the scenes at the Rio de Janeiro club.


RAPHAEL CLAUS'S ERRORS


Raphael Claus has a history of contested decisions in matches involving Flamengo . One of the most memorable cases occurred in 2023, when the referee awarded a penalty by Léo Pereira on Fluminense's Marquinhos. The Flamengo defender was visibly off balance during the play, raising questions even among refereeing analysts. The match ended in defeat for Flamengo, Filipe Luís's first setback as a professional coach.

In matches against other state rivals, such as Botafogo and Vasco, Claus also faced criticism. In a match against Botafogo, he ignored a clear foul on Fabrício Bruno early in the play that led to the opponent's second goal. Against Vasco, the referee failed to signal two handballs inside the box, believing the defenders were in a natural position, which angered fans on social media.


FANS FEAR NEW CONTROVERSIES

Anticipation for the match at Maracanã is high, and Claus's selection adds additional apprehension to the already tense atmosphere. With a recent history of controversial decisions, Flamengo fans are already worried about the referee's decisions for the upcoming match.


Soccer

Flamengo must make changes to its defensive system due to two important losses

Mengão faces Tricolor with important absences in defense, while the Bahian team has 13 confirmed absences for the duel at Fonte Nova

Flamengo faces Bahia in the Brasileirão with Léo Pereira and Alex Sandro out. See the likely lineup - photo: reproduction
Flamengo faces Bahia in the Brasileirão with Léo Pereira and Alex Sandro out. See the likely lineup - photo: reproduction

03 Out 2025 | 22:30 |

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Flamengo will have two important absences for the duel against Bahia, this Sunday (5), at 6:30 pm, at Arena Fonte Nova, for the 27th round of the Brazilian Championship . Defender Léo Pereira and full-back Alex Sandro received their third yellow card in the goalless draw against Cruzeiro and are serving an automatic suspension.


Alex Sandro was cautioned in the 11th minute for a hard foul on Christian without the ball. Léo Pereira was booked for fouling Kaio Jorge, accumulating infractions that resulted in a suspension . The absence of the duo forces changes in the red-and-black defense.


PROBABLE LINEUP


With the absences, coach Filipe Luís is expected to make changes. The likely starting lineup includes Rossi; Varela (or Emerson Royal), Danilo, Léo Ortiz, and Viña (or Ayrton Lucas); Jorginho (Allan or De La Cruz), Saúl, and Arrascaeta; Samuel Lino, Gonzalo Plata (or Carrascal), and Pedro . Leading the table with 55 points, Flamengo is looking to open up a gap over Palmeiras and Cruzeiro, who are closely tied.

BAHIA ARRIVES FOR THE GAME WITH CASUALTIES


On the other side, Bahia faces a crisis of absences. There are 13 confirmed absences—between suspensions and injuries—in addition to doubts like Ramos Mingo, who was injured in the last match. The Esquadrão, currently sixth with 40 points , will face an even greater challenge against the championship leader.



Soccer

Bahia faces Flamengo with 13 absences; check out the names

Tricolor faces Mengão this Sunday in the Brasileirão with 13 confirmed absences; see the full list of absences and probable lineup

With 13 confirmed absences, Bahia faces Flamengo at Arena Fonte Nova in a Brasileirão clash - photo: reproduction
With 13 confirmed absences, Bahia faces Flamengo at Arena Fonte Nova in a Brasileirão clash - photo: reproduction

03 Out 2025 | 21:03 |

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Bahia will have great difficulties when facing Flamengo this Sunday (5), in the 27th round of the Brazilian Championship. The team led by Rogério Ceni has 13 absences, a record number of the season , for the clash at Arena Fonte Nova, in Salvador, at 6:30 pm (Brasília time).


The Tricolor de Aço will have absences across all positions: goalkeeper, defense, full-backs, midfield, and attack. Nine players are injured and four are suspended, forcing the coach to resort to an alternative formation to face the league leaders.


Among the players missing are Luciano Juba, Rodrigo Nestor, Santiago Arias, and Sanabria , as well as players recovering from injuries like Kanu and Erick. The situation forces Ceni to assemble a new defense and even consider potential debutants.


COMPLETE LIST OF ABSENCES
  • Goalkeeper: João Paulo (knee injury)
  • Full-backs: Santiago Arias (suspended), Luciano Juba (suspended and muscle injury)
  • Defenders: Gabriel Xavier (suspended), Ramos Mingo (thigh injury), David Duarte (physical transition), Kanu (return from surgery)
  • Midfield: Rodrigo Nestor (suspended), Caio Alexandre (muscle injury), Erick (transition from surgery)
  • Forwards: Sanabria (suspended), Erick Pulga (muscle injury), Ruan Pablo (injury)
PROBABLE LINEUP

With so many absences, Rogério Ceni should send an alternative team to the field against Flamengo : Ronaldo; Gilberto, Fredi, Rezende and Zé Guilherme; Acevedo, Jean Lucas and Everton Ribeiro; Kayky, Iago Borduchi (or Michel Araújo, Tiago or Cauly) and Willian José.




Soccer

Flamengo is expected to make changes to its lineup to face Bahia

Mengão is expected to make changes to its lineup to face Tricolor this Sunday in the Brasileirão; see the likely lineups and absences.

Flamengo is expected to make changes to its lineup to face Bahia in a Brazilian Championship match - photo: reproduction
Flamengo is expected to make changes to its lineup to face Bahia in a Brazilian Championship match - photo: reproduction

03 Out 2025 | 20:39 |

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Flamengo should present important changes in the starting lineup for the match against Bahia this Sunday (5) , valid for the 27th round of the Brazilian Championship . After the goalless draw against Cruzeiro, at Maracanã, coach Filipe Luís should promote changes in the lineup.


According to information from the ge portal, the tendency is for Rubro-Negro to enter the field with Rossi; Varela, Danilo, Léo Ortiz and Ayrton Lucas; Saúl (or De La Cruz), Jorginho and Arrascaeta; Plata (or Carrascal), Samuel Lino (or Everton Cebolinha) and Pedro.


Regarding the match against Cruzeiro, Danilo, Ayrton Lucas, and Pedro are expected to be new starters . This means Léo Pereira and Alex Sandro, both suspended, and Carrascal will be out of the squad.


TRAINING AT THE CT

The red-black squad returned on Friday afternoon (3), at Ninho do Urubu, starting work for the match. The last training session with the entire group is scheduled for Saturday morning (4) , before the delegation embarks for Salvador.


MATCH BROADCAST

As usual, the official lineup will only be confirmed moments before kickoff, during the pre-match training session . The match will be played at Arena Fonte Nova at 6:30 PM (Brasília time), with exclusive coverage on Premiere.


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