Vitoria president blasts refereeing in draw with Cruzeiro: ‘Scandal’

Vitoria president Fabio Motta has criticised the referees in the 2-2 draw with Cruzeiro on Monday (19/8) at the Paradão stadium in Salvador, in the 23rd round of the Brazilian championship.

The coach was annoyed that Rabosa’s second goal was not disallowed. He mentioned the supposed touch by midfielder Matheus Henrique at the start of the play. On the pitch, the main referee, Marcelo de Lima Henrique, awarded the goal. Daniel Nobre Pines, who was running the VAR, did not ask for a review.

Today is a scandal by all accounts. I’m not saying that Cruzeiro could have drawn the match. I think Cruzeiro deserved to draw, but they don’t need to draw like that. It’s clear that it’s not easy to fight in the Brazilian championship the way we’re fighting. We make an extraordinary and huge effort to face a team like this on an equal footing, with an investment of more than 200 million, and salaries of around 30 million, right? There was no need for that. Cruzeiro doesn’t need this. It’s absolutely ridiculous, it’s shameful

Fabio Motta, President of Vitoria

When he said that it is not easy to fight in Serie A, Fabio Motta referred to Vitoria’s other matches: “We were hurt against Botafogo, a meaningless goal was disallowed. We were deprived against Corinthians. The citizen did not send off the player.”

Then, the president of Leão da Barra called for the professionalization of refereeing: “As long as it is not professional, we will remain here full of doubts. It is ridiculous that you still do not have a professional referee. In other words, the VAR system should get a referee’s salary and be just a referee. In Brazil, we have this disgrace. It causes a series of doubts in our heads.”

Fighting relegation

Vitoria are fighting relegation at the bottom of the table. The team is in 16th place with 22 points, six wins, four draws and 13 defeats.

“It’s a scandal, it’s shameful. Cruzeiro didn’t need this. Did Corinthians and Fluminense need this to avoid falling and Vitoria falling because they have the least investment?” Fabio Motta wondered.

Cruise in Series A

Cruzeiro, in turn, remains on the first page. It is in seventh place with 37 goals. The team, led by coach Fernando Seabra, has won 11 matches, drawn four and lost seven.