Felipe Melo shocks fans by calling penalty on Fluminense’s Thiago Silva in Flamengo clash
When Felipe Melo, the 41-year-old former Fluminense midfielder turned pundit, dropped an Instagram story declaring, "Para mim foi pênalti,"" it didn’t just stir the pot—it set the whole Brazilian football world on fire. The moment came after a controversial non-call during the Flamengo vs. Fluminense match at the Maracanã on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. With just 10 minutes into the second half, Bruno Henrique of Flamengo was brought down inside the box by Thiago Emiliano da Silva, Fluminense’s 39-year-old center-back. Referee Davi de Oliveira Lacerda waved play on. And that’s when things got wild.
Why This Call (or Lack Thereof) Mattered More Than the Score
The final score—Fluminense 2–1 Flamengo—wasn’t the story. It was what that non-call meant in the context of the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A standings. Flamengo entered the match knowing Palmeiras had drawn 0–0 with Esporte Clube Vitória earlier that evening. A win would’ve stretched their lead at the top to five points. Instead, they left with a loss and a bitter feeling. The penalty would’ve tied the game at 2–2, likely shifting momentum. Instead, Flamengo’s lone goal—a 58th-minute penalty converted by Jorginho—felt hollow. Fluminense’s goals, from Pablo Javier Acosta and Evanilson Senna dos Santos, came in the first half, and the defense held firm. But the controversy? That’s what fans are still talking about.Felipe Melo’s Unexpected Turn
Here’s the twist: Felipe Melo played for Fluminense from 2005 to 2006. He’s known for his fiery loyalty to the club. He’s the kind of guy who’d defend his old team even if the ref missed a handball in the 90th minute. So when he said, "Se eu to no campo com a camisa do Fluminense, e não marcam esse pênalti ao meu favor, eu ficaria revoltado," it wasn’t just a comment—it was a bomb. Fans flooded his comments: "Capitão, quando você volta?" "Isso é coragem." "A arbitragem tá com medo do Flamengo?" Melo’s statement stood in stark contrast to PC Oliveira, the veteran arbitration analyst for Rede Globo, who defended Lacerda’s decision. "The contact was minimal, and the attacker was already past the defender," Oliveira said on air. But then came Paulo Caravina, a referee from the Federação de Futebol do Mato Grosso, who broke it down with cold precision: "Bruno Henrique occupied the space first. Thiago Silva came in from behind and made contact. That’s a penalty. No other interpretation fits the rules."The Ripple Effect Across Brazilian Football
The match wasn’t just watched—it was dissected. YouTube videos like "FLA VACILA, PÊNALTI ESCANDALOSO REVOLTA E ÁUDIO DO... ATÉ FELIPE MELO DETONOU A VERGONHA!" hit 636 views within 48 hours. Lance.com.br, O Tempo, and the Flamengo-focused Coluna do Fla all ran front-page analyses. Social media exploded. One fan wrote: "Esse Thiago Silva nunca jogou bom futebol mas por ser educadinho nas falas sempre foi protegido pela arbitragem." It wasn’t just about the call—it was about perception. Is the system biased? Are star clubs getting preferential treatment? The question lingers.What’s Next for the Referees and the League
The Confederação Brasileira de Futebol (CBF) has yet to issue a formal statement. But with the league entering its final stretch—only four rounds remain—the pressure is mounting. Last year, after a similar incident involving Flamengo and Atlético Mineiro, the CBF reviewed 12 refereeing decisions in one week. This time, with Palmeiras just two points behind, every decision could alter the title race. If the CBF doesn’t act, the perception of unfairness could erode fan trust. And in Brazil, where football is religion, that’s dangerous.The Maracanã: More Than a Stadium
The Maracanã, with its 78,838 seats, isn’t just a venue—it’s a pressure cooker. The stands roared when Acosta scored. They booed when the whistle didn’t blow. They held their breath when Jorginho stepped up. And when Melo’s voice crackled through Instagram, the whole city seemed to pause. This isn’t just about one call. It’s about legacy, loyalty, and the fragile trust between fans and the institutions that govern the game.Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Felipe Melo’s statement cause such an uproar?
Felipe Melo is a former Fluminense player known for his fierce loyalty to the club. His public admission that the non-call was a penalty—despite it costing Fluminense a potential win—was seen as a rare act of integrity. Fans were stunned because he chose truth over tribal loyalty, challenging the narrative that former players always defend their old teams, regardless of fairness.
Was the penalty actually a clear mistake according to experts?
Yes. Referee Paulo Caravina from the Federação de Futebol do Mato Grosso stated unequivocally that Bruno Henrique had established position in the box before Thiago Silva made contact from behind, which under FIFA rules constitutes a penalty. Even though PC Oliveira from Rede Globo defended the call, Caravina’s analysis aligned with the official interpretation used in top European leagues, suggesting the decision was a clear error.
How did this affect the Brasileirão title race?
Flamengo entered the match needing a win to extend their lead over Palmeiras, who had drawn earlier that night. The 2–1 loss meant Flamengo’s lead shrank to just two points. With only four rounds left, every point matters. Had the penalty been awarded and Flamengo tied the game, they could’ve gone on to win and stretched the gap to five points—potentially crushing Palmeiras’ momentum.
Is there precedent for this kind of controversy in Brazilian football?
Yes. In 2023, a similar penalty non-call in a Flamengo vs. Atlético Mineiro match triggered a CBF review of 12 refereeing decisions within a week. Fans have long accused the league of favoring big clubs, especially in high-stakes games. The Melo controversy reignited those suspicions, particularly because the referee, Davi Lacerda, has a history of controversial calls involving Flamengo.
What’s the CBF’s responsibility in this situation?
The CBF must decide whether to issue a public statement, review the referee’s performance, or even implement a retrospective VAR review system for critical incidents. While they can’t change the result, silence risks fueling distrust. In a league where fan passion runs deep, perceived injustice can damage the sport’s credibility more than any lost point.
Could this incident lead to changes in how penalties are reviewed in Brazil?
Possibly. The growing gap between what referees see and what fans and experts see on replay is widening. With social media amplifying every call, and former stars like Melo speaking out, pressure is building for the CBF to adopt more transparent post-match reviews—even if not live. Some experts are calling for an independent review panel to evaluate controversial decisions after the final whistle, similar to systems used in England and Germany.
The contact was clearly beyond minimal-Thiago Silva came in from behind with zero regard for spatial dominance. Under FIFA Law 12, this isn't even debatable. The referee either missed it or was intimidated. Either way, the integrity of the league is compromised. VAR exists for a reason, and letting this slide sets a dangerous precedent for every high-stakes clash in the Brasileirão.
i just feel bad for bruno henrique he gave everything and that call just took the wind out of his sails. no one deserves to lose like that. the game’s already brutal enough without refs making it worse. hope they fix this before the next one