Corinthians Staff’s Daring Half-Time Bid to Storm VAR Room Creates Unprecedented Chaos in Gremio Clash.
In a dramatic turn of events during the Brasileiro Serie A clash between Corinthians and Gremio at the Arena do Gremio stadium in Porto Alegre, several Corinthians staff members endeavored to forcefully enter the VAR room. The commotion ensued within the opening 10 minutes, marked by Corinthians defender Matheus Bidu being denied an early penalty, leading to referee intervention via a pitchside monitor and subsequently issuing a straight red card to Bruno Mendez.
PC de Oliveira analisa pênalti não marcado em Grêmio x Corinthians #trocadepasses pic.twitter.com/oRmNzODieH
— ge (@geglobo) November 13, 2023
Seeking clarification, Corinthians’ Director of Football Alessandro Nunes and his associates made an assertive attempt to access the VAR room. Nunes, addressing the incident, expressed his protest against what he deemed an absurdity in VAR refereeing. He lamented the system’s purported failure to assist the on-field referee, citing a clear penalty denial and questioning the persistence of such errors over the years.
Nunes acknowledged his own lapse in judgment, admitting to inappropriate behavior while emphasizing the broader issue of VAR inconsistencies. He underscored the desire for fairness in officiating. Meanwhile, journalist interactions during the unfolding events were noted, adding a layer of complexity to the situation.
Rafael Traci, positioned in the VAR room during the episode, provided insight into the disputed penalty decision. He argued that despite contact between Pedro and Bidu, it did not lead to a fall, emphasizing the player’s delayed reaction in anticipation of the foul.
Despite the contentious circumstances, Corinthians ultimately secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Gremio, with Angel Romero netting a decisive goal in the 32nd minute. The match, rife with VAR-related controversies, showcased the intensity and passion often inherent in football encounters.