Former Uruguayan Defender Lugano Criticizes Palmeiras Coach Abel Ferreira’s Behavior During São Paulo Match

Palmeiras beat São Paulo last Sunday, at Morumbi, by 2-0, but the match for the 10th round of the Brasileirão was marked by a moment of tension in the first half, which earned Abel Ferreira a yellow card.

The Portuguese coach did not like the foul that Jonathan Calleri made on Mayke along the sideline and argued vehemently with the Argentine striker, who accused him of elbowing the Palmeiras player.

During ESPN’s “Resenha da Rodada” program, the former Uruguayan central defender Lugano, who passed through São Paulo, left harsh criticism of the Portuguese’s behavior.

“I think it is more and more incomprehensible. I’ve been playing football for 25 years, I’ve seen fights between players, arguments, we train for and against coaches with a temperament… in the face. I never saw. The player is sacred, he does not move. It’s like an unwritten football code. Abel already did that with Liziero, Arrascaeta and now with Calleri. Perhaps he is not managing to increase the success he has, because he has never been successful like he is now in his career, and increasing success is difficult», he began by saying.

“You can tell he’s desperate for attention every weekend. We could be talking about Raphael Veiga, Zé Rafael, Dudu, Rony or Weverton and we are talking about him again. I think it’s strategy, it can’t be chance», he stressed.

«I imagine Palmeiras players are a little embarrassed by the coach’s attitude. It disconcerts me, mainly, for the lack of respect for the player. Arguing with the referee is already wrong, but with the opposing player, sticking your finger in the face? Scream in the face? And, above all, the most important and worrying thing: I was at Morumbi, and this attitude generated a discussion of violence in the stadium. (…) In another moment of South American football, 10 years ago, that attitude would end with Abel in the hospital», he added.

Already after the final whistle, it should be noted, Abel had a friendly conversation with Calleri and the two left the pitch embracing. At the press conference, the Portuguese coach admitted that he apologized, stressing that he has “great respect and admiration for Calleri”, but guaranteed that he had no remorse and “what happened in there stays in there”.