Senator Eduardo Girão (Novo-CE) proposed the summoning of former referee Péricles Bassols, technical manager and VAR observer, to provide clarifications to the CPI das Apostas. The intention is for Bassols to explain two controversial moves from the 16th round of this year’s Brasileirão.
Penalty in favor of Flamengo generates controversy
The first attempt occurred in a penalty in favor of Flamengo against Fortaleza at Maracanã. The referee awarded the penalty after a touch by the defender at the moment when striker Pedro, from the Rio team, was preparing to shoot. This episode generated a lot of controversy and was the subject of intense discussions.
The second controversial move took place in the match between Atlético-MG and São Paulo, at Arena MRV. The São Paulo fans complained about an alleged touch on Paulinho’s hand in Galo’s goal. However, the referee understood that the ball hit the player’s stomach. Bassols was the VAR observer in this match, which makes his presence at the CPI even more relevant.
According to Senator Girão, given these controversies, “a more in-depth discussion of the methods and criteria used by this tool during these competitions is warranted, including the non-need to make all cameras available to the field referee”.
VAR studio at Betting CPI
These cases raise the question about the transparency and effectiveness of VAR. Because in each round of the Brasileirão, dubious moves arise that generate different interpretations.
It is worth remembering that members of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) have already given statements to the Senate’s CPI, even setting up a VAR room so that parliamentarians could understand the process in practice.
Wilson Seneme, president of the CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation) Arbitration Commission, took the initiative. In other words, the idea was to truly simulate the VAR environment for senators Jorge Kajuru and Carlos Portinho.
