Flamengo come in for criticism in deadly fire memorial

Welcome back to the Brazil Sports newsletter! This week, one year after the fire that killed ten youth players at the club’s training ground, Flamengo come in for widespread criticism for their handling of the one-year anniversary. We also have a look at Brazil’s Olympic football generation, who booked their place in Tokyo with a big win over the weekend. Finally, the Armed Forces have seen drastic funding cuts to their acclaimed sporting programs. Enjoy your read!

Flamengo cause outrage in anniversary of youth team tragedy

Rio de Janeiro football club Flamengo had an illustrious 2019, winning the Brazilian league, the Copa Libertadores, and pushing Liverpool all the way to extra time in the final of the World Club Cup. However, an indelible stain on an otherwise glorious 12 months came last February, when a fire broke out at the lodgings of their youth team training facility, killing ten teenage boys.

The club has hardly shrouded itself in honor and humility since the tragedy, for which Flamengo is being held criminally liable due to the extremely precarious nature of the lodging facilities. Beyond delays in paying compensation to the victims’ families, recurring appeals in courts to attempt to reduce their punishment, all the while “dedicating” their on-field successes to the ten dead teenagers, the public image of Flamengo directors hit rock bottom this past weekend, on the one-year anniversary of the fire.

Turned away. On Saturday, when a memorial service was scheduled to remember the lives of the ten victims of the youth team lodging fire, Flamengo did not allow the victims’ families to enter the training complex, turning them away at the gates under the scorching afternoon sun in Rio de Janeiro. 

Compensation. Flamengo is currently paying monthly compensation of BRL 10,000 to each of the families of the ten victims, but the club is appealing this punishment in court, claiming it is excessive.

Brazil’s boys on the way to Tokyo

With a thumping 3-0 win over Argentina in the South American Championships, Brazil’s under 23 football side has guaranteed its place in the Olympic Games in Tokyo later this year. The road was bumpier than Brazil would have liked, having been held...