Controversial Refereeing Casts Shadow Over Fluminense's Narrow Win Against Ceará
Fluminense's 1-0 win over Ceará marred by a referee's admitted mistake on a key foul call affecting the match outcome.
- • Fluminense defeated Ceará 1-0 with a goal scored after a questionable foul call by the referee.
- • The referee admitted the foul call on Ceará's Marllon was a mistake.
- • Ceará's coach Léo Condé criticized the refereeing but acknowledged Fluminense's stronger play.
- • Ceará has not won in three matches and is 13th in the league standings.
- • Fluminense moved into the G-6 after this victory and will face Ceará again soon.
Key details
Fluminense secured a 1-0 victory over Ceará at the Maracanã Stadium in a 12th round Campeonato Brasileiro match, moving into the G-6 of the league. The only goal came from Renê following a contentious free kick awarded after referee Flávio Rodrigues de Souza called a handball foul on Ceará's defender Marllon — a decision later admitted to be incorrect by the referee himself, as revealed by Ceará's midfielder Richardson.
Ceará's coach Léo Condé criticized the refereeing decision, acknowledging its significant impact on the match while also recognizing Fluminense's overall superiority. Condé reflected on his team's poor second-half performance, calling it arguably their worst in the competition and expressed frustration over the emotional toll the refereeing error took on his players. Despite the defeat and referee controversy, Condé took responsibility for his team's shortcomings and stressed the urgent need for improvement as Ceará remains in 13th place, five points above the relegation zone, without a win in their last three matches.
Fluminense controlled key moments of the game, maintaining their lead through solid defense and tactical ball control. In contrast, Ceará struggled offensively. The teams are set to face each other again soon at Ceará's home ground, Arena Castelão.
This matchday also saw Palmeiras held to a 0-0 draw by Cruzeiro, preventing them from extending their lead atop the standings.
The refereeing error and its acknowledged acknowledgment highlight ongoing concerns about officiating quality as the league reaches critical stages, with every point vital to the standings.