Vitória blasts Abel Ferreira after criticizing Luan Cândido: “What track record?

The club's reaction came after the Portuguese coach questioned Luan Cândido's record during the press conference. The full-back had been sent off in the 39th minute of the first half for making a gesture associated with robbery towards referee Alex Gomes Stefano.

The move happened shortly after Cacá received a straight red card for a harsh tackle on Jhon Arias. When commenting on the arbitration, Abel praised the judge's attitude and stated:

"Do you know Luan Cândido's history? Do you know his history?"

In the official note, Vitória classified the speech as a questioning of the athlete's character.

" Esporte Clube Vitória publicly expresses its indignation at the statements made by the coach of Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras, Mr. Abel Ferreira, during his press conference after the match last Wednesday (29), in which he questions the character of our athlete, Luan Cândido", says an excerpt from the statement.

The club also presented numbers to contest the coach's statement. According to the note, Luan made his professional debut in 2020 and has had six expulsions in his six-year career, including four direct red cards and two expulsions after the second yellow card.

"In the case of a defender, this is a number considered low. During the same period, coach Abel Ferreira accumulated 13 expulsions in official games", stated Vitória.

The board also highlighted that the coach's total number of expulsions is more than double that recorded by the player.

"A number that represents more than double the amount recorded by our athlete and, above all, comes from a professional who should serve as an example for his players", the note continued.

Vitória took advantage of the statement to defend changes in Brazilian arbitration.

" Esporte Clube Vitória argues that Brazilian football refereeing must be improved and professionalized, so that all clubs no longer suffer from mistaken actions that end up harming entire projects," he declared.

The club also expressed surprise with Abel Ferreira's assessment of Cacá's entry, classified by the Portuguese as a move "on the limit".

In Vitória's view, the interpretation is surprising as it comes from a coach who usually complains about national refereeing decisions.

At the end of the note, the club reaffirmed its support for the full-back.

" Esporte Clube Vitória reiterates its total confidence in the character, professional conduct and integrity of Luan Cândido, an athlete who honors the Esporte Clube Vitória shirt every day, on and off the field."

Esporte Clube Vitória goes public to express its indignation at the statements made by the coach of Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras, Mr. Abel Ferreira, during his press conference after the match last Wednesday (29), in which he questions the character of our… pic.twitter.com/dR6X1Tzxog

"I was very sad"

Luan Cândido also spoke out on social media. The player apologized to the fans, his teammates and the club for the expulsion.

"Firstly, I would like to apologize to the fans, my teammates and the club for the expulsion in yesterday's match. In the heat of the game, I ended up reacting in a way I shouldn't have, and I recognize my mistake," he wrote.

The full-back stated that the team had already faced other episodes of frustration in matches against Flamengo and Athletico and said that he intended to learn from the situation.

"Now, it's time to learn from this episode so that this type of reaction doesn't happen again," he declared.

Luan also criticized the Palmeiras coach's words and stated that he did not understand the reference to his disciplinary history.

"I was very sad about what was said by the opposing coach, after the match, at the press conference. Since 2020, when I became professional, there have been 223 games and only six expulsions, including yesterday's. And, then, I question myself what my history was that was said", he concluded.

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