O Flemish continues its crusade against synthetic lawns, to the point of spreading fake news. This Friday (12/12), the red-and-black club released an official statement saying that it “welcomes the decision of the majority of Serie A clubs […] for the immediate suspension of the approval of new synthetic lawns”.
It turns out that, as the “GE” portal recalled, there was no ban during the Technical Council meeting last Thursday. THE CBF clarified that no decision had been made on the matter.
According to a report from “GE”, the majority of clubs requested the suspension of the approval of new synthetic pitches until a study on the subject is produced, but there is still no indication as to what – and if there will be – any determination.
The matter should be resumed between February and March. BotafogoAtlético-MG, Athletico-PR, Chapecoense and Palmeiras released a joint statement on Thursday defending synthetic pitches and highlighting that there is no conclusive scientific study on the increase in injuries caused by modern artificial pitches.
Read Flamengo’s official note:
“Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, faithful to its commitment to excellence and the evolution of Brazilian football, welcomes the decision of the majority of Serie A clubs, which, with vision for the future and responsibility in relation to the spectacle and the health of athletes, decided to immediately suspend the approval of new synthetic pitches in Serie A.
The decision also reaffirms support for the initiative to establish, in Brazil, a Quality Standard for First World Natural Lawns, to be defined within the scope of the CBF Working Group to be formed. The decision was taken at the Serie A Technical Council on 12/11/2025.
Flamengo, which last Monday filed with the CBF (RGC / REC) a technical document with suggestions and analyses, making public its position for the end of synthetic pitches in Series A, for the implementation of a rigorous quality standard for natural fields and for a safe and gradual transition, welcomes with satisfaction the progress of the debate initiated by the club and the decision taken, understanding that it reflects a necessary evolution for Brazilian football.
The End of an Era of Delay
The suspension of approval of new artificial floors is a first step towards the fundamental recognition that:
1. The athletes’ opinion is sovereign: Flamengo has always defended that the voice of the true protagonists, the athletes – who have already spoken out in force, including with names like Neymar, Gabigol and Thiago Silva –, must have decisive weight. According to athletes, the natural field is the only surface recognized throughout the world as suitable for high-performance football, ensuring the health of players and the technical integrity of the game.
2. Non-negotiable quality: The minority justification that “high performance” synthetics outperform natural fields in “poor conditions” is a confession of the urgent need for a technical standard and a program to improve the management and maintenance of natural fields in the country, and not a defense of plastic flooring. The solution is to invest in maintenance and technology for natural lawns, in accordance with the First World Standard that Flamengo and most clubs aim for.
3. FIFA understands that the synthetic lawn it is not suitable for high level competitions and therefore does not allow it in its top shelf competitions. Flamengo is interacting with FIFA’s main technicians on the topic and, as a result, bringing to Brazil and the future working group a set of studies from the FIFA research group that will be fundamental to support the technical discussion on the subject.
The Future of Gaming is Natural
Flamengo congratulates the CBF for leading the technical debate – including the pace of play and unfair competitive advantages – and, more crucially, for paving the way for a robust governance model that will allow for the mandatory transition to natural grass at all elite clubs.
The year 2026 will be the milestone for the resumption of Brazilian excellence, where the field can finally be a surface that combines talent and technique, and not an obstacle to be overcome.
The Clube de Regatas do Flamengo reaffirms its commitment to modernization, transparency and, above all, to the quality of football played in Brazil. The Club will remain at the forefront, actively collaborating with the CBF and other clubs in defining a First World Natural Grass Standard, ensuring that the spectacle on the field lives up to the passion of the fans and the history of five-time champion football.”
