Sports
CBF Hurts Flamengo by Approving Derby at Engenhão
Decision confirms Vasco as home team with a 90% ticket allocation for home fans and 10% for Flamengo in the Brasileirão.
The CBF has approved holding the Vasco vs. Flamengo derby at Engenhão with a 90-10 ticket split. According to Bernardo Ramos, this decision undermines sporting fairness after the first-round clash featured an equal 50-50 allocation at the Maracanã.
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) approved Vasco da Gama's decision to host their derby against Flamengo at Estádio Nilton Santos, known as Engenhão, this coming Thursday in the Campeonato Brasileiro. In addition to setting the venue, the governing body confirmed a 90% ticket allocation for Vasco fans and just 10% for Flamengo supporters.
According to Bernardo Ramos in the video above, this decision directly undermines the sporting fairness of the national league. In context, it is important to emphasize that their first-round clash at the Maracanã—hosted by Flamengo—had a 50-50 split between both fanbases in a 2-2 draw. By approving the unfavorable allocation in the second half of the season, the CBF sanctions a competitive imbalance in the final stretch of the Brazilian title race.
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Political retaliation and stadium hierarchy
In Bernardo's view, the stance taken by Vasco president Pedrinho amounts to retaliation following the standoff over the club's attempt to play against Boca Juniors at the Maracanã. Choosing Engenhão contradicts the priority list previously published by Vasco's chief executive, which placed São Januário first, Maracanã second, and Nilton Santos third.
Bernardo believes the move carries flashes of Euriquismo, referencing former club boss Eurico Miranda. However, the commentator notes that this choice could backfire on the pitch, as Vasco's squad dislikes playing on Engenhão's artificial turf, whereas Flamengo boasts a strong track record at the venue.
The Maracanã dispute and fallout for the derby
Another key point highlighted in the analysis concerns the management of the Maracanã. The stadium operates under a concession established in 2024 held jointly by Flamengo (65%) and Fluminense (35%). The operating consortium never signed an agreement guaranteeing Vasco four mandatory matches, which is why Vasco's board had no automatic right to play there.
As a result, Vasco's move to limit rival fans to 10% is expected to trigger retaliation. Bernardo sees it as natural that Bap will impose the same 90-10 split in the next Flamengo-hosted derby, though that will only happen next season. The commentator also questioned the silence of authorities such as the Rio de Janeiro Public Prosecutor's Office and Minister Luís Felipe Salomão regarding safety and access conditions at Engenhão for such a high-tension match.
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