CBF explains Flamengo sending-off after Supercopa half-time

The CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation) went public on Sunday night (1st) to detail the behind-the-scenes of the controversial refereeing in the Supercopa final between Flamengo and Corinthians.

Read the full statement at this link.

According to the highest authority in Brazilian football, the delayed sending off of Jorge Carrascal, from the Rubro-Negro, was due to an electrical failure that left the VAR inoperative during part of the first half, delaying the search for images that showed the aggression against Breno Bidon.

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The Colombian midfielder’s sending off for aggression against Breno Bidon caused confusion due to the time it took for the red card to be shown.

The CBF explained that the refereeing team needed extra time to find the correct angle of the infraction.

"Initially, the available images did not present conclusive evidence, which is why the first half ended normally. Still during the procedures, a new check allowed the clear identification of the infraction, which justified the recommendation for review so that the referee could assess and consequently send off the player," said the CBF.

In the official statement, the entity reinforced that the CBF’s regulatory framework "expressly provides for the possibility of review after the restart of the game only in specific situations, among them a possible infraction subject to sending off for violent conduct."

According to the CBF, the delay was due to a power outage at the stadium, which affected the video booth.

The system operated at the limit of its backup battery, which explains the absence of review in key moments, such as Memphis Depay’s goal for Corinthians, in the 13th minute of the second half.

"The contingency system (no-break) kept the VAR operating for approximately 15 minutes. As power in the area was not promptly restored, the match proceeded without the use of VAR between the 15th and 34th minutes of the second half," the statement explained.

Read the full statement

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) clarifies that the sending off of player Jorge Carrascal, in the match between Flamengo and Corinthians for the Supercopa Rei, occurred after checking the available images, carried out by the VAR team from the moment of the incident, and which was concluded when the players had already gone down for halftime.

In this procedure, evidence of violent conduct involving Flamengo’s number 15 player (Carrascal) against Corinthians’ number 7 player (Breno Bidon) was identified, in an incident that occurred away from the ball and with the game stopped.

Initially, the available images did not present conclusive evidence, which is why the first half ended normally. Still during the procedures, a new check allowed the clear identification of the infraction, which justified the recommendation for review so that the referee could assess and consequently send off the player.

The procedure adopted is supported by the 2025/26 Rule Book and the FIFA VAR Protocol, which authorize VAR intervention in cases of violent conduct at any time during the match, including after the game has restarted (read more at the end of the statement).

The CBF also reports that, during halftime, there was a power outage in several areas of the stadium, including the VOR (Video Office Room, the VAR Booth).

The contingency system (no-break) kept the VAR operating for approximately 15 minutes. As power in the area was not promptly restored, the match proceeded without the use of VAR between the 15th and 34th minutes of the second half.

The refereeing team fully complied with international protocols, communicating with the captains and coaches of both teams.

The Refereeing Commission reinforces that all decisions made on the field strictly followed the Laws of the Game, without any technical or sporting harm to the match.

Regulatory Basis

The 2025/26 Rule Book expressly provides for the possibility of review after the restart of the game only in specific situations, among them a possible infraction subject to sending off for violent conduct:

• 2025/26 Rule Book – p. 159:

If the game is stopped and then restarted, the referee may conduct a review and take the appropriate disciplinary action only in cases of mistaken identity or a possible infraction subject to sending off for violent conduct, spitting, biting, or acting in an extremely offensive, insulting and/or abusive manner.

• 2025/26 Rule Book – p. 154 (VAR Protocol – Principles, practical aspects and procedures) – Item 1 (Principles) – Subitem 10:

If the game is stopped and then restarted, the referee cannot conduct a review, except in cases of mistaken identity or a possible infraction subject to sending off for violent conduct, spitting, biting, or acting in an extremely offensive, insulting and/or abusive manner.

• 2025/26 Rule Book – p. 75 (Law 5) – Item 4 – “Reviews after the restart of play”:

If the game is stopped and then restarted, the referee may only conduct a review and take the appropriate disciplinary action in cases of mistaken identity or a possible infraction subject to sending off for violent conduct, or for spitting, biting, or acting in an extremely offensive, insulting and/or abusive manner.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

📸 SERGIO LIMA - AFP or licensors