Neymar supports Vinicius Jr. to win the 2024 Ballon d'Or: "He's a fighter"

Created by Flamengo and now one of the biggest highlights of the EFL Championship, England's second division, Vinicius Souza established himself as a reference for Sheffield United and began to gain more responsibilities in the English team. Now, the midfielder carries the captain's banner.

Vinicius Souza arrived at Sheffield last season and was one of the Premier League's biggest standouts, second only to João Palhinha, from Fulham, in the tackles ranking (126). However, the English team failed to remain in the top division. Now, in his second season, the midfielder celebrates the recognition by receiving the captain's sash.

“Receiving the opportunity to be captain and represent Sheffield was something that made me extremely honored. This is a sign that my work is being valued. Not only because of what I've been doing on the field, but off it too”, said the former Flamengo player in an interview with “ge”.

O Garoto do Ninho started all six of Sheffield's Championship matches and is the best defensive midfielder in the competition. The young man leads the ranking of tackles, with 27 in total, and is the player in his role with the most defensive actions.

“Despite being a young athlete, I know my responsibility here at the club and I dedicate myself every day to be able to to repay the trust that the board, coaching staff and players have always given me, since my first days in England. Our group is very good, the atmosphere is very positive and everyone is focused on pursuing our main objective of the year.”

Sheffield occupies fifth place in the Championship, with 12 points from four wins and two draws after six rounds. The English team suffered a two-point penalty from the English Football League and that's why they don't have 14. However, the team's start is good and gives confidence to Vinicius Souza and his teammates to think about access to the Premier League again.

The Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD) scheduled for this Thursday (26), at 10 am, in Rio de Janeiro, the judgment of the request for annulment of the match between Fluminense and São Paulo, played at the beginning of this month by the Brazilian Championship.

São Paulo requested the game be challenged, and the case will be analyzed by the Full Court, the last instance of the STJD. The club claims that referee Paulo Cesar Zanovelli made a legal error in awarding Fluminense's first goal, which won the match 2-0.

The controversy began in a ball dispute between Calleri and Thiago Santos, in midfield, in the first half. Zanovelli scored a free kick from Calleri, but gave Fluminense an advantage, as the ball went to Thiago Silva. However, Thiago Silva thought the foul had been called, touched the ball with his hand and restarted the play, which resulted in Kauã Elias' goal.

For São Paulo, Zanovelli should have scored a free kick. Thiago Silva touched the ball with his hand, which, according to the club, would justify the cancellation of the goal.

Images and audio released from the VAR review caused outrage among São Paulo directors. The video shows Zanovelli contradicting himself when reviewing the move on the VAR monitor. He initially confirms the application of the advantage, but later maintains the validation of the goal.

“I was going to give the advantage, the player (Thiago Silva) stops and takes the free kick. I signal a foul. Let's move on. I gave the advantage, I followed. It’s a legal goal, okay, Igor (Junio ​​Benevenuto, VAR)?”, said Zanovelli to the video assistant.

São Paulo had already protested about the move, first with a letter sent to the CBF, and later in a meeting between president Julio Casares and the president of the CBF, Ednaldo Rodrigues. This Monday, the club filed the request for annulment with the STJD.

Article 259 of the Brazilian Code of Sports Justice (CBJD) provides for the possibility of annulling a game in which the referee does not comply with the rules of football, citing errors of law that could change the result of the match.

"Article 259, § 1: The match, competition or equivalent may be canceled if there is proven to be an error of law relevant enough to alter its result."

Zanovelli was also denounced by the STJD prosecutor's office and could be suspended for up to 120 days, but this trial will not take place on Thursday. Furthermore, the Full Court will analyze an appeal by São Paulo related to the punishments applied to Rodrigo Nestor and Sabino, who were suspended for four and five games, respectively, after a fight in the classic against Palmeiras.