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Internacional Fan: Louis Schroder has his say.
One of the most tightly disputed Brazilian Championships of all time is one round away from being decided, but all indications are that the eventual champions have already been determined off the field in a very dubious manner, possibly even illegally.
This past weekend the League standings with 2 rounds to go stood as follows:
- Sao Paulo 62 Points – 17 Wins
- Flamengo 61 Points – 17 Wins
- Internacional 59 Points – 17 Wins
- Palmeiras 59 Points – 16 Wins
The problem begins with Corinthians, who only had 49 points and nothing to play for. They were safe from relegation and also already in the 2010 Copa Libertadores since they won the Copa do Brasil earlier in the year. Ahead of Corinthians´ clash with Flamengo last Sunday, rumours suggested that Corinthians would “take it easy” during the match, to facilitate Flamengo´s title charge, and to dampen the chances of either of Corinthians´ crosstown rivals, Sao Paulo or Palmeiras to win the title.
In addition a loss for Corinthians would be a bonus, as it would also affect Internacional´s titles chances, a team who they have had a huge cross country rivalry with since the 2005 Brasileirao, when Inter were the leaders and Corinthians were given the chance to replay 2 matches they lost and regained 4 points (after a referee scandal that later was all but forgotten), climbing above Inter in the standings. Inter protested to no avail saying that the championship was robbed from them by Corinthians. Corinthians, led by Argentine striker Carlos Tevez, were crowned champions and Inter finished second. When Inter protested, Conmebol threatened to kick Inter out of the 2006 Libertadores if they didn´t drop the case. Inter went on to win the 2006 Libertadores after a sensational campaign. Corinthians went on to be relegated in 2007. Since then it has been all bad blood. Both teams clashed in the final of the Copa do Brasil this year, with Corinthians prevailing after a controversial series.
Incredibly, before Sunday´s game, Jucilei a Corinthians player, stated in a press conference that he was a Flamengo fan and so were another 4 or 5 Corinthians players. He also said that he believed that Flamengo would win the championship. Meanwhile Sao Paulo, Inter and Palmeiras all had to win their games in order to keep their hopes alive. Sao Paulo were virtually one win away from assuring themselves of what would have been a fourth successive title, but were beaten by Goias, while Inter and Palmeiras won their respective matches.
In Campinas, Corinthians practically gifted Flamengo the three ponts. Within minutes famed Corinthians forward Ronaldo (a lifelong Flamengo fan) dropped on the field claiming to be hurt. He was immediately substituted. Flamengo would take a 1 – 0 lead into the half after a Corinthians forward missed a wide open goal with the goalkeeper already beaten. You could see Corinthians had no desire to attack. Meanwhile, Corinthians´ coach was sent off, as was another player. The side also made all of their substitutions early in the game.
Late in the game Corinthians finally showed a little bit of offense when Escudero, a foreign Corinthians player possibly not aware of the rivalries, tried to attack. But in second half injury time Flamengo were awarded a dubious penalty kick. Corinthians´ goalkeeper made a scene supposedly complaining about the call. But just before the kick television footage captures Felipe the goalie saying “I’m not moving…I’m not moving”. Sure enough when the kick was taken, Felipe didn’t move allowing the ball to pass right by his hand without any attempt to block it. He claims it was a protest against the call…but when in the world do you protest by letting the ball go in? Wouldn’t the correct protest be to try to save it?
The game ended and Flamengo climbed above Sao Paulo into first place. Inter moved into second.
The plot now thickens. In order for Flamengo (64 Points) to actually win the championship it needs to win its next game at home against Gremio since its expected that Inter (62 Points) should beat relegated Santo Andre. The problem is that Flamengo´s opponents, Gremio, are Inter´s biggest rivals. The Gre-Nal derby is up there with the most passionate derbies in the world. Flamengo are now likely to be handed another three points, which would also hand them their first title since 1992.
This is shameful and not the way to decide the championship of the country where ´´The Beautiful Game´´ was coined!
Gremio front office had already indicated that they would use reserves or U20 players since they also had nothing left to play for. Gremio fans started pleading for their team to lose as not to give the championship to Inter and even Gremio player Souza (a former Brazilian international) went to the press and said that if they fans want them to lose then so be it and that they would do what they are told to do by the front office.
This is downright shameful and possibly a good reason to go back to the Playoff and Finals format where this kind of thing wouldn´t happen. It’s not fair to Inter, Sao Paulo or Palmeiras. It’s not even fair to Flamengo, who could have won the title without having their opponents let them win, but now run the risk of having their title tainted.
Gremio now has retracted and said that they will field as many starters as possible and that they will play to win, but I don’t believe it for a second. If you want to see the most blatant fudged game ever tune in to Flamengo vs. Gremio at Maracana on Sunday, where almost 100,000 fans will see Gremio facilitate a Flamengo win. The only way to stop this is to pressure the players to play for real. Incredibly Gremio fans will be rooting against Gremio, while Inter fans will be rooting for Gremio. Inter only needs a draw from Gremio.
My hope is that FIFA and Conmebol take a closer look at the situation because surely CBF won’t, neither will most of the Brazilian media. For them a Flamengo win is like a NY Yankees win, good for ratings and business. There is still time for somebody to do something, even if it is just to remind the 11 Gremio players that will take the field that what they do on Sunday can cost them their name and maybe their careers.
This is not how a hard fought championship should be decided. Enough damage was already done on Sunday, in the Corinthians vs. Flamengo game and this weekend it could all come to a disgraceful end, if Gremio facilitates a Flamengo win.
Louis Schroder
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Like I said before Louis, Inter was given the game by Sport. Sport fans recognize that their team played with hardly any effort and do not want Flamengo to win the title at all.
Inter has already given up games in the past. Felipe from Corinthians pointed out that several Inter players wanted to lose to Goias to relegate Corinthians. Inter made it easy for SPFC to win so Gremio wouldn’t win the title last year.
This isn’t the first time this has happened, but since it’s Flamengo, the most hated team in Brazil, people want to try to find ways to make it look like we do not deserve to win the title based on our play.
Last year, SPFC got opponents willing to lose to them and even got the game vs Goias moved away from Goiania to Brasilia, where there are more São Paulinos, to watch the game. No one was complaining about all this like they are now.
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Haha, there is even a Colorado in the topic you made in Orkut that admitted that most Inter fans see nothing wrong and that they would do the same to Gremio if it was reversed. He also said he did not see Corinthians give up, like you claim.
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I am number one Flamengo fan but honest and yes I believe that Flamengo were favored. I think that Corinthians should go to second division again for cheating, they only bribe so they can get other players like Ronaldo. I read in newspaper that Corinthians want to get Ronaldinho so I am sure they let us Flamengo win because of that.
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Mengão You cant be serious!!!! Sport Sunday was beating INTER!!! Inter only tied the game in the second half and only scored the winning gola with 3 minutes to go!!! Now you are simply making things up about the Sport x Inter game. Thats rediculous. Let see proof!! I have presented various items to prove that Corinthians and Gremio are laying down. Corinthians players have said it, Germio players have said it and even Corinthians Ofiocial Newspaper admits it. Look at the photo “Sweet Defeat”!!!!And what was Felipe doing on that PK!!!??
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I think Flamengo deserve the Title. If Corinthians and Grêmio don’t try their best in the field, it’s a problem for their fans. Inter has to win their game and wait the Maracanã’s result. And then see what happens. Fight for the Championship until the end. GO INTER!
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Brazilian football is a disgrace. the guild will deliver the game.
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But there is a BIG DIFERENCE, Flamengo has the second BEST campaing on it’s HOME, and GREMIO has the WORST campaing outside, So #### ##, stop the conspiration theorys, Even if Gremio give their best, they won’t be able to hold Flamengo Fury on maracanã, and everyone on Brazil knows that.so let’s just enjoy this, and remember, Flamengo has come from 14th place to the 1st one, beating everyone on top.
just to be clear =]
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Just because Gremio has a horrible record out of their home DOES NOT mean they cant TIE flamengo at Maracana.
Last week GOIAS tied Flamengo at Maracana with 80,000 fans and Flamengo a wion away from 1st place.
ANd there is NO CONSPIRACY THEORY HERE….all of the above is explicitly clear.
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Seems like Brazil is not a shame only in politics. They are a shame in their own soccer champioship since 2005
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Some Internacional fans are obviously with resentment for losing the Brazilian Cup and the Brazilian First Division. This year Inter became a centenarian club, and they expected a huge tittle to celebrate – wich didn’t come.
The author have seem to “forgot” that in the last round of Brazilian 1st Division 2007 and 2008 they did the same thing they are accusing other teams of. In 2007, Corinthians was close to be relegated. Corinthians had 45 points and Goias 44 in the last round, but Corinthians’ last game was Gremio away. Gremio is almost unbeatable at Olímpico, his home stadium. Goias’ last game was against Internacional at Serra Dourada, Goias’ home stadium.
At the time Internacional was still grudgingly their loss in Brazil 1st Division 2005 with Corinthians being crowned champion. Well, bottom line – Corinthians, with the worst team os his history, somehow managed to draw against Gremio. But most of Internacional athlets played like they were already on vacation, and Goias won the match by 2-1. Hence, Corinthians was relegated.
Last year, in the last round, Internacional’s fiercest rival, Gremio, was 2nd and had a chance of winning the title, but to do so, they needed to win their match and hope that São Paulo loose his. The problem was – São Paulo last game was against Internacional. So, no hopes for Gremio, as Internacional played with no attitude what so ever and most of his players were actually already on vacation. Gremio did eventually win his match, but so did São Paulo.
So, I don’t see any reason to an Internacional fan complain about what happened last round and what will happen in the next (where, clearly, Gremio will make no effort to win his last game and give the title to his fiercest rival, just like Internacional did last year).
PS – Actually Corinthians’ fans do NOT consider Internacional a huge rival at all.
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Renato you make me very mad. I think you are angry because your so called Gremio has his best player from Argentina Maxi Lopez a player who was a reserve in Barcelona and who go out with a prostitute woman. And now Maxi is Gremio´s idol a blond fool with no skill. I feel sorry for you sad boy renatinho.
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Louis, you are wrong my friend. You say that International will be cheated but you say that International deserve to win after they have been so inconsistent? Why say such things?
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Louis,
All this polemica is being caused by Colorados under a condiiton you already assume: Inter beating Santo Andre at home. What makes you so positive you will beat Santo Andre when you have already lost to the likes of Botafogo at home?
The facts are clear. Inter was 12 pts ahead of Flamengo and due to their OWN INCOMPETENCE, they have lost the title. This game vs. Gremio is just another excuse for another failure this year, Louis.
Good luck in the Libertadores.
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