Roger Sterling
JF-Expert Member
- May 10, 2015
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Brazilian FA are angry with Flamengo over Vinicius Junior absence
The Brazilian FA is outraged by the decision of Flamengo to prevent Vinicius Junior from participating at the Under-17 World Cup, which is to be held in India from October 6 to 28.
In an official statement, the federation wrote that they regret the decision taken by the club and that they expected the Rio de Janeiro institution would make a decision that would not be harmful to the Brazilian team and to the player himself.
Vinicius Junior, who will arrive at Real Madrid in July 2018, was due to travel on Friday morning to join the rest of the national team squad and the Brazilian FA have said that they spoke to the Spanish champions, who never objected to the player's participation.
Defeat against Cruzeiro, however, has changed the plans of Flamengo, who have since decided that the player will not leave as they continue their fight to qualify for next season's Copa Libertadores, which would have been obtained with a win.
"We called Sao Paulo for Brenner, Vasco for Paulinho and Flamengo for Vinicius," said Edu Gaspar, revealing that they informed all clubs of their intentions at the beginning of September.
"Sao Paulo and Vasco let their players come without any problems, but Flamengo had doubts."
Despite their doubts, they allowed the Brazilian FA to process the player's visa and the player himself took to social media to express his happiness with his inclusion in the squad, making it seem certain that he would take part.
"Vinicius Junior has nothing to do with this, he's a good guy," Gaspar added.
"He was very receptive from the beginning and was excited to be called up.
"I was counting on them [Flamengo] to have common sense.
"I do not agree and we are all deeply disappointed with the club's decision."
The club, meanwhile, have kept quiet on the matter, though coach Reinaldo Rueda did share some of his own thoughts at a recent press conference.
"We want the best for Vinicius Junior," he said.
"He is an important player for the team and he knows that the national team have good players, so he will stay with us."
Globo Esporte have revealed that there was an agreement he would go if Flamengo won the Brazilian Cup, which did not happen.