“As for Flamengo’s stance on this issue, I’ve been very clear about it. Flamengo believes that if you just look at the five biggest leagues in the world, where do you see artificial pitch? We want to build a league in Brazil to make it bigger, better, and more profitable. With artificial pitch? That’s a joke,” he said.
European Examples
In Bap’s view, Brazilian teams mistakenly use Europe as an example, since the climatic conditions are different. “Now, who decides this? The appropriate forum to discuss this is the CBF; it is them that you (the press) should be questioning. Flamengo has already made its decision; there is financial fair play that we support, as well as sporting fair play. Just look at the European leagues that inspire us, they don’t play on artificial pitch. Artificial pitch is a way to keep football alive in countries that spend nine months a year under ice,” he stated.
“Are we going to go abroad, take an idea like that, and bring it here just to have lower maintenance costs? It’s to make money with concerts. Those who want to make money with concerts should change their line of business. Those who want to make money from football should defend natural grass," the executive criticised.