In a press release, Flamengo celebrates the decision of the majority of Serie A clubs on synthetics

Flamengo published an official note this Friday (12/12) welcoming the decision of the majority of Serie A clubs to suspend the approval of new synthetic pitches in the elite of Brazilian football. This statement follows the protocol published by Rubro-Negro himself last Monday (12/8), which called for an end to lawns of this type in the country.

Fla insists on the establishment of a rigorous quality standard for natural fields and on a safe and gradual transition. Thus, he celebrates the progress of the debate initiated by the club and the decision taken, knowing that it reflects a necessary development for Brazilian football.

Check the declaration

“The end of an era of delay

The suspension of approval of new artificial soils is a first step towards the fundamental recognition that:

1.⁠ ⁠The opinion of athletes is sovereign: Flamengo has always defended that the voice of the real protagonists, the athletes – who have already spoken out forcefully, notably with names like Neymar, Gabigol and Thiago Silva -, must have decisive weight. According to the athletes, the natural pitch is the only surface recognized worldwide as suitable for high-level football, guaranteeing the health of the players and the technical integrity of the game.

2.⁠ ⁠Non-negotiable quality: The minority justification that “high performance” synthetics outperform natural fields in “poor conditions” is an admission of the urgent need for a technical standard and program to improve the management and maintenance of natural fields in the country, not a defense of plastic flooring. The solution is to invest in the maintenance and technology of natural lawns, in accordance with the first world standard that Flamengo and most clubs aim for.

3.⁠ ⁠FIFA understands that artificial turf is not suitable for high-level competitions and therefore does not allow it in its high-level competitions. Flamengo interacts with the main FIFA technicians on the subject and, therefore, brings to Brazil and the future working group a set of studies from the FIFA Research Group that will be fundamental to support the technical discussion on the subject.

The future of gaming is natural

Flamengo commends the CBF for leading the technical debate – including pace of play and unfair competitive advantages – and, more importantly, for paving the way for a strong governance model that will enable the mandatory transition to natural grass at all elite clubs.

The year 2026 will be that of the resumption of Brazilian excellence, where the pitch can finally be a surface that combines talent and technique, and not an obstacle to overcome.

The Clube de Regatas do Flamengo reaffirms its commitment to modernization, transparency and, above all, the quality of football played in Brazil. The Club will remain at the forefront, actively collaborating with the CBF and other clubs to set a world-first natural grass standard, ensuring that the spectacle on the pitch lives up to the passion of the supporters and the history of the five-time football champion.

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