SÃO PAULO – Lucas Casagrande, a 25-year-old referee with a recent history of controversial decisions, has been assigned to officiate the upcoming Brasileirão Série A match between São Paulo and Chapecoense in the 5th round of the competition. The announcement, made by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) on Monday, has already drawn scrutiny given Casagrande’s past run-ins with the commission and teams across multiple divisions.
Casagrande’s appointment comes after a period where he was temporarily removed from officiating duties by the CBF at the conclude of 2025 due to what was described as a “gross error.” While the specific details of that error haven’t been widely publicized, it’s just one in a series of incidents that have raised questions about his judgment on the pitch. This match, set to be played in São Paulo, will be a key test for the young referee as he attempts to re-establish himself as a consistent presence in Brazil’s top flight.
The CBF, in its customary statement regarding referee assignments, indicated that selections are based on a variety of factors, including the stage of the competition, the importance of the match, and the referee’s qualification, physical conditioning, and technical performance. Though, Casagrande’s recent history suggests a more complex situation.
One particularly contentious incident occurred during a 2025 Brasileirão match between Grêmio and Bragantino. The team from Rio Grande do Sul strongly protested a first-half red card issued to defender Kannemann, as well as a penalty decision that ultimately decided the match in favor of Bragantino with a 1-0 scoreline. The fallout from that match led directly to Casagrande’s suspension for “retraining” by the CBF’s Refereeing Commission, a common practice used to address perceived shortcomings in officiating.
Prior to the Grêmio-Bragantino controversy, Casagrande faced criticism in a Série D match between América-RN and Treze. The 1-1 draw sparked outrage from América-RN, with football executive Marcelo Sant’Ana publicly denouncing Casagrande’s performance as “disastrous.” Sant’Ana specifically pointed to a missed penalty call as a key example of the referee’s poor decision-making. “I want to express my repudiation of the refereeing and ask Wilson Seneme, president of the CBF’s refereeing commission, to pay attention to all the series of the Brazilian Championship,” Sant’Ana stated at the time.
Further scrutiny came at the end of 2025 during the first leg of the FPF Cup, where Casagrande officiated the match between Azuriz and Cianorte. The losing side, Cianorte, lodged complaints about two unawarded penalties and questioned the validity of Azuriz’s winning goal, alleging a handball in the build-up. These repeated controversies raise questions about the CBF’s decision to entrust Casagrande with a Brasileirão match involving two prominent clubs like São Paulo and Chapecoense.
Despite the controversies, Casagrande has been gradually reintegrated into national football. He served as the fourth official in Corinthians’ 2-1 loss to Bahia earlier this season, marking his only involvement in a Brasileirão match so far in 2026. He did, however, officiate São Paulo’s 2-0 victory over Atlético-MG in the 2025 national championship, a match that, at the time, did not generate the same level of post-match debate as some of his other assignments.
The appointment of Casagrande adds an extra layer of intrigue to a match that already carries significant weight for both São Paulo and Chapecoense. São Paulo, aiming to build momentum in the early stages of the Brasileirão season, will be hoping for a fair and consistent officiating performance. Chapecoense, meanwhile, will be looking to upset their hosts and climb the league table. The pressure will be on Casagrande to demonstrate that he has learned from his past mistakes and is capable of handling a high-profile Brasileirão fixture.
Fans and analysts alike will be closely watching Casagrande’s decisions throughout the match, particularly in crucial moments. The stakes are high, and any controversial calls could have a significant impact on the outcome of the game and the early standings of the Brasileirão. The CBF’s decision to place Casagrande in this position is a clear indication of their willingness to give the young referee another opportunity, but it too carries a considerable risk.
São Paulo will host Chapecoense at a date and time yet to be confirmed by the league. Further updates regarding the match, including kickoff time and television broadcast details, will be released by the CBF in the coming days. Fans can follow Archysport for the latest news and analysis leading up to the match, as well as live coverage and post-match reaction.
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