Fluminense edge Vasco da Gama as referee contact with Canobbio sparks Brazilian derby controversy

Fluminense’s 1-0 victory over Vasco da Gama was overshadowed by a remarkable incident involving referee Davi de Oliveira Lacerda and Fluminense forward Canobbio.

The match at the Maracana was already tense, with a series of heavy challenges and confrontations between the players. During an attempt to break up a verbal dispute between Canobbio and Vasco da Gama midfielder Souza, Lacerda moved towards the Fluminense player and appeared to make chest-to-chest contact with him.

The incident quickly attracted widespread attention, with footage shared on social media showing the referee stepping into Canobbio’s path as the forward moved towards the ball. The episode led to questions about the official’s conduct during one of Brazil’s most high-profile fixtures.

Hulk, speaking after the match, expressed his frustration and strongly criticised the referee’s behaviour. He also referred to a heated exchange between members of the officiating team and Canobbio.

“In a match of this size, one of the biggest derby matches in Brazil, it is inconceivable for the referee to have no personality. This is unacceptable. If you look at that incident where Canobbio was running towards the ball, the referee hit him with his chest. I have never seen anything like this in football anywhere in the world. The referee hits a player.”

The match ended with Fluminense securing a narrow win over their local rivals, but the result was followed by significant discussion of the confrontation rather than the decisive moments of the game.

Disciplinary action was also a feature of the opening 45 minutes. Two Vasco da Gama players were shown yellow cards before half-time, while three Fluminense players were booked.

The contact between Lacerda and Canobbio became the defining talking point, particularly because it involved the match official rather than an incident between opposing players. Television and social media footage appeared to show the referee moving directly towards Canobbio before the two made contact.

Hulk’s comments added to the criticism surrounding the incident. He argued that such behaviour was unacceptable in a match of this importance and said he had never witnessed a referee make that kind of contact with a player.

The tense nature of the fixture had already been evident in the exchanges between the teams, with the confrontation involving Canobbio and Souza requiring intervention. However, the referee’s actions turned an on-field disagreement into the most controversial moment of the match.

Fluminense’s 1-0 success at the Maracana therefore came against the backdrop of an unusual refereeing incident that dominated the post-match reaction.