After Palmeiras had a goal disallowed in stoppage time of the second half, settling for a draw against Remo on Sunday, the club’s football director, Anderson Barros, issued a statement criticizing the officiating.
Barros cited an IFAB (International Football Association Board) rule to argue that the goal should not have been overturned. In the play, Flaco López competed for an aerial ball with a Remo defender. The ball struck the Argentine’s arm and then fell to Bruno Fuchs, who scored at the 49th minute. Referee Rodrigo Rafael Klein was called to the VAR monitor and annulled the goal that would have given Palmeiras the win. With the draw, the Alviverde saw Flamengo close the gap to the league lead to just four points.
“I know it has become very frustrating, especially in games, when some football department professionals question what has transpired. But unfortunately, we cannot avoid it. Today, I want you to take a moment to judge. According to the International Football Association Board, if the ball accidentally touches the hand or arm of an attacking player, and then a teammate finishes and scores, the goal is legal and confirmed. To better understand the handball rule’s dynamics: When is the goal disallowed? If the player whose hand touched the ball scores immediately after the contact, even accidentally. When is the goal validated? An accidental touch at the start of the play is not an infraction if the ball then goes to another player who shoots it into the net.
If we all look at the play, the Remo defender heads the ball onto López’s hand, the ball goes to Fuchs, and he scores. It’s a goal. That would have been two more points for Palmeiras. I have just one question: Who will be held responsible for this? I think we are reaching a point where we can no longer tolerate it. This is the responsibility of the Brazilian Football Confederation, the referee directorate, Rodrigo Cintra, and Péricles Bassols. We cannot allow these situations to continue. If there is doubt, take enough time to review the play, but we cannot afford to make this kind of mistake anymore.”
Bruno Fuchs, the player whose goal was disallowed, had already spoken out and echoed Barros’s stance. The defender said he tried to talk to the referee and that “the rule is clear.”
During his statement, the director also mentioned the recent punishment of Abel Ferreira. The
