Flamengo’s football director, José Boto, has responded to criticism regarding the postponement of the Fla-Flu match. Boto characterized some of the critics as “professional complainers” who commented on matters that were not their concern. He defended the decision to reschedule the game, citing the logistical challenges faced by the Flamengo delegation in returning from their Libertadores debut.
“There is a lot of confusion, and I heard many people speaking about something that should be normal,” Boto stated. “If there are clubs we are accustomed to seeing as complainers, who complain about everything, professional complainers… Then there are others that I was quite surprised to hear talking about something that does not concern them.”
He elaborated on the rationale behind the change, emphasizing player welfare and the quality of the game. “It was a difficult trip, just as Fluminense’s was. For the good of the spectacle and for the health of the players, there was an agreement between the clubs to hold the match today. I am sure the match we are going to see today will be better than the one we would have seen yesterday. The players have one more day of rest, and it is not only Flamengo’s players. Fluminense’s do as well.”
Boto also pointed to Fluminense’s agreement with the postponement as evidence of its benefit. “It is obvious that if Fluminense’s coach did not think it would be better, and every coach wants extra days to train and to let his players rest, he would not have agreed. It is something that is good for the spectacle, good for Brazilian football,” he added in an interview with Flamengo TV.
Flamengo had requested the postponement of the Fla-Flu fixture due to delays in their return from Cusco, Peru, where they played on Wednesday, the 8th. Palmeiras had publicly voiced their disapproval of the CBF’s decision to approve the date change, stating in an official statement that “Only one club has its request granted, while other teams have been having similar requests systematically rejected by the entity.” Fluminense president Mattheus Montenegro also defended the postponement.
