After suspension, Carrascal returns to Flamengo against Internacional who is experiencing a setback at the STJD

The curious thing is that one of Flamengo's most punished players this season will play for the first time after the World Cup against Internacional, a club that is still trying to recover from the serious setback it suffered in court.

Carrascal was unable to play right after the World Cup because he was suspended. He was punished by the STJD in three games after being sent off in the duel with Palmeiras and still had two games to pay.

The court ruled under article 254 of the Brazilian Code of Sports Justice (CBJD) for violent conduct. Thus, he was left out of the games against Coritiba (he was also available for the Colombian team), Chapecoense and São Paulo, all for the Brazilian Championship.

This was the third time, in 2026 alone, that he found himself sidelined after a red card, and always serving more than the automatic suspension. He was sent off against Corinthians, in the Brazilian Super Cup, and was suspended for two games. The punishment was repeated after the red card in the classic against Fluminense, before the one already mentioned against Palmeiras.

The midfielder's return raises expectations about the structure that Léo Jardim will create in the starting team. Without him and with Arrascaeta still unable to play the full 90 minutes, the coach has been using Samuel Lino more centrally.

The Flamengo coach has made changes to the offensive sector amid the absences. In the duel with São Paulo, for example, they used Lorran as a winger - Gonzalo Plata has tendonitis in his right knee and Luiz Araújo is recovering with his left knee.

Jardim has even indicated that he wants to reinforce a midfielder. The board is negotiating with Almada, a name that fits what the technical committee sees as different characteristics from those of Arrascaeta and Carrascal.

FAKE AUDIO AND PUNISHMENT

Internacional left the STJD this Tuesday (28) with a setback that creates problems for the rest of the season. Defender Victor Gabriel, responsible for the play that resulted in Gabriel Pec's leg being broken, was suspended for the duration of the Cruzeiro player's recovery.

The trial changed course after the auditors noticed the use of fake audio attributed to the VAR. The media attached and reproduced in the trial was the result of a parody page entitled "O VAR Brasileiro".

The audio became decisive and changed the outcome of the trial. Victor Gabriel would be convicted, but with a milder sentence - six games, within the caput of article 254 of the Brazilian Code of Sports Justice (CBJD). After understanding the false audio, the player was included in the paragraph that says: "In the event that the affected person remains unable to practice the sport as a result of a serious violent play, the offender may continue to be suspended until the affected person is able to return to training, respecting the maximum period of 180 days".

Internacional can now appeal to take the case to the full STJD. In a note released after the trial, the club admitted what it classified as a "recognized failure in capturing and using the content presented in the player's defense", but highlighted that there was "no intention to carry out any act motivated by bad faith within the scope of the process in question".

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