For both clubs, it is necessary that the state of Rio has rates similar to those of European countries when they returned with the activities in order to play football again in the statet. The Arbitration Council could establish the ‘Safe Game’ protocol that was approved by the Series A clubs. The plan now is for this protocol to be sent today (Monday) for approval by the State Government so that next week, a new arbitrator will be scheduled to decide the date for the return of the competition.
The videoconference started around 3:20 pm and ended just before 7:00 pm (Brasília time). Called to present the protocol they developed, doctors Márcio Tannure (Flamengo), Marcos Teixeira (Vasco) and Rômulo Capello (Bangu) passed item by item to club officers. Unsuccessful matches, mass testing of those involved and team logistics issues were the most debated topics.
It was decided, for example, that the negative test for COVID-19 will be a kind of ticket to the games. All persons involved in the match will be examined. Press professionals, for example, will only be able to work if they have not been contaminated. In addition, the delegations of each team can have a maximum of 40 people. For access to the locker room, each club will have 32 passes. Eight players will be allowed on the bench and five members of the coaching staff. The arrival at the stadium must take place 60 minutes before the kick-off. Everything to reduce the chance of agglomeration. There will be no technical stoppage in matches.
The games will be held preferably in Maracanã, Nilton Santos and São Januário stadiums, all in the city of Rio. There is the possibility of confrontations between smaller teams taking place in their own places, the understanding was that it would not make sense to move these teams to the capital. With one key factor: the stadium that receives the game must comply with the protocol.
Mário Bittencourt, president of Fluminense, on a collision course with Rubens Lopes, president of Ferj, did not participate and sent a representative. The club only reiterated the position against the resumption at this time. Botafogo's president, Nelson Mufarrej, also said that he expressed the position that it is not time to debate game dates as the pandemic curve continues to rise. Both clubs approved, with several reservations, the protocol. They consider it only a tool for when the return is approved.
Majority unanimously to define back causes divergence
When consulted, Ferj said that the date for Carioca tournament to return will be decided by a majority of votes, without the need for unanimity. The entity is based on an article of the General Competition Regulation (RGC) that says that "omitted or conflicting cases, related to them, will be the exclusive responsibility of the Federation." Flamengo and Vasco agree with this interpretation. Fluminense and Botafogo, in turn, are based on the Statute of Ferj itself, which says that the competition rules "can only be changed by the Arbitral Council by unanimous decision of its members."
In the understanding of the two clubs, the case would not be "omitted" because it is covered by the statute and they argue that it is above the RGC. For Ferj, this is not a change of regulation. After the measures endorsed by the government and health authorities, Ferj's intention is for Carioca to be resumed. Without an audience and preferably in three venues: Maracanã, Nilton Santos and São Januário.
The context for decision making
The decision comes a day after the governor of the state, Wilson Witzel, eases a series of restrictive measures adopted due to the pandemic of the new coronavirus. Among them, the practice of high-performance sports. Friday also marked the increase in the numbers of Covid-19 in Rio: there are 6,473 deaths and 63,066 confirmed cases.
On Monday last week, Rio's city hall had announced changes in social isolation. Thus, football games with a third of the public would be allowed from July: Maracanã (capacity reduced to 22,000 people), São Januário (7,000) and Nilton Santos (14,000).
The return will obey the rules of the Safe Game protocol, a document prepared by the doctors of the clubs in partnership with Ferj. On Tuesday, by the way, the Provisional Medical Commission met to define the last steps - Fluminense was the only one absent, after all, beside Botafogo it was positioned in a way contrary to the immediate return of Carioca.
When were referees called?
Referees had been summoned last Wednesday. According to the announcement, the following topics would be discussed:
Source: GMB / Globoesporte
