FLAMENGO OFFICER CELEBRATES PURCHASE OF STADIUM LAND AND REVEALS: "DUTY FULFILLED"

Controversies always seem to surround Flamengo, and yet another unexpected piece of news involving the club came to light this Wednesday (18), this time related to women's football. Rubro-Negro was condemned by the courts in a case brought by six former players, with a decision that surprised everyone.

The action, which had been ongoing since 2021, resulted in a conviction worth R$3.2 million. According to information from Uol, the names of the players were not revealed, but they were released during the reformulation of the sport in 2022 and were seeking recognition of a professional bond with Flamengo.

Flamengo, which maintains a partnership with the Brazilian Navy did not pay the athletes directly, as they were third sergeants. They played for the club between 2015 and 2021, a period in which they won the Brazilian Women's Championship. However, the players argued that the practice adopted by the club and the Navy was irregular, according to the partnership contract.

“An item in the cooperation term made it clear that the Navy would not provide financial resources, nor would it carry out the direct transfer of facilities. Flamengo was intentionally omitted to pay the athletes”, guarantees lawyer Rafael Cunha.

Possibility of appeal

Despite the initial decision, Flamengo can still appeal. The Regional Labor Court of Rio de Janeiro unanimously understood that Flamengo benefited from the situation and determined that the club must record the athletes' contributions in their Work Cards, in addition to paying the due salaries and other labor obligations.

In addition to these six players, eight others also filed lawsuits against Flamengo for the same reason, but their trials have not yet taken place. In response to Uol, the club commented on the case:

“Of the nine legal actions involving former Navy athletes and coaches, eight had court decisions removing the employment relationship with the Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, considering that these are exclusively third-level Navy sergeants”, he says.

Last week, children who practice judo in the social project Jogaremos Juntos, promoted by Flamengo's Social Responsibility, had an unforgettable experience. They visited the club's headquarters, in Gávea, and trained alongside Flamengo's judo teachers and athletes, experiencing a day full of learning, discipline and sportsmanship.

In total, 70 children, from centers of Cantagalo and Queimados, had the chance to practice judo under the guidance of high-level professionals, reinforcing the values ​​of the sport, such as respect, determination and teamwork.

At the dojô, the children were welcomed by the coach of the under-13 and under-15 red-black judo teams, Rodrigo Domiciano, who, together with club athletes, shared his experiences and spoke about the importance of dedication to progress in the sport. “In the midst of so many negative references, it is essential that these children have positive references. Here they can see that it is possible to reach a higher degree, seek a black belt, seek important competitions and this will change their realities”, he said.

For many, the day was a unique opportunity to become inspire, dream big and continue following the path of sport. “The children came very excited. They've been talking about coming here to Flamengo for a week. It's important for them to be here, in a different place, with so much structure... This all makes them want to dedicate themselves more”, said professor Alves, who teaches judo at Jogaremos Juntos - Núcleo Queimados. Cantagalo resident Leda Maria Pereira de Macedo, mother of student Davi, added. “Children who live in communities need sports so they don't get lost and judo has already got my son back on track. He now has discipline, he has become another child! Davi takes a shower, goes to bed early... I'm very happy. I'm very grateful to have the project there”, she praised.

With its own methodology, Jogaremos Juntos is an education project through sport, based on socio-emotional skills. Through it, children and young people have the opportunity to work on self-knowledge, resilience, empathy, focus and other skills that they learn from sports and put into practice to face and overcome challenges in life, whether at school, in family or with friends.

In total, the project serves 800 children in six communities in Rio de Janeiro - Cantagalo Pavão Pavãozinho, Complexo do Alemão, Vila Aliança, Morro do Banco, Santa Cruz and Queimados - with classes football, judo, basketball, artistic gymnastics and volleyball. The project is encouraged by the Federal Sports Incentive Law and has Shell as a sponsor.

It seems that Flamengo's current board will be able to speed up the purchase of the Gasologista land for the construction of the stadium later this year. This is because, this Tuesday (9), the City of Rio de Janeiro published in the Official Gazette the minimum value for auctioning the site. 

According to the municipal body, bids starting at R$138.1 million can participate in the dispute. Furthermore, the document confirms the expropriation of an area of ​​86.5 thousand m², which belongs to an investment fund managed by Caixa Econômica Federal.

The Official Gazette also highlights that the site must have a stadium with a minimum capacity of 70 thousand places. However, this determination will not be a problem, as Flamengo plans to build an arena for 80 thousand fans, according to Rodolfo Landim.

NOTE GUIDELINES:- Urban mobility plan that favors the use of public transport and pedestrian access in the immediate area. The project must necessarily consider the access of individual passenger transport vehicles through the internal roads of the São Cristóvão neighborhood. Access via Avenida Francisco Bicalho, one of the city's main roads, will be prohibited;– Installation, preferably, of rainwater collection and reuse systems for irrigating lawns and use in bathrooms. Low water consumption devices must be used in bathrooms and changing rooms;– “Experience zones”, with themed areas around the stadium, such as interactive museums and gaming areas;– Wide and accessible sidewalks, as well as cycle paths that connect the stadium to nearby residential and commercial areas;– Sufficient parking design, preferably underground or in a garage building;– Implementation of a “robust selective collection and recycling system for waste”, as well as dock areas for garbage collection; Incorporation of solar panels and other renewable energy sources, in addition to strategies that include carbon offsetting ;– High-efficiency LED lighting and automated control systems must be used to reduce energy consumption;– Integration of vegetation into the project, such as vertical gardens and, preferably, roofs green areas, to improve air quality and reduce ambient temperatures;Social Reach Plan that covers impacts on surrounding populations and communities, prioritizing the hiring of local labor, professional qualification projects and sports and cultural education;– Integration with the surrounding area, which includes shops, museum, restaurants, bars and services.
WILL FLAMENGO HAVE COMPETITORS?< Many fans are concerned about the term "auction", as there is the possibility of competition. However, internally, Mais Querido knows that the other three main clubs in the city will not enter the dispute, due to a lack of financial conditions and the fact that the notice states that the land is for the construction of a stadium.

NEXT STEPS

Mais Querido is now awaiting a vote in the Chamber of Councilors to approve the bill for the use of the club's constructive potential, Rubro-Negro has in favor Marcos Braz, councilor and deputy president of football, who is also in the Parliamentary Front on the topic. In this way, Flamengo will use the Gávea headquarters to reduce the costs of building the stadium.