Football
ESPN 6y

Flamengo chief 'outraged' over Brazil call-ups: 'CBF doesn't care about the clubs'

Flamengo's president is "outraged" with the Brazil national team's call-ups of local players for upcoming friendlies against the United States and El Salvador, telling reporters the Brazilian federation (CBF) "doesn't care about the clubs."

Tite on Friday announced his squad for the exhibition matches, including the likes of Flamengo midfielder Lucas Paqueta, Cruzeiro defender Dede and Corinthians right-back Fagner in the team despite the fact the trio will be forced to miss important games for their clubs as the domestic calendar does not stop for the international dates.

Flamengo stand to be without Paqueta, who has grown to become the team's most influential player this season, for three matches, including the second leg of their Copa do Brasil semifinal. And club president Eduardo Bandeira de Mello slammed the federation -- which also sets the domestic calendar -- for their lack of empathy toward clubs.

"We tried to act beforehand and asked that none of the clubs involved in the Copa do Brasil had a player called up. They [CBF] listened, understood, and did this," said Bandeira de Mello, whose club currently sit second in the league behind Sao Paulo. "We are totally outraged.

"CBF doesn't care about the clubs, they only think about having the player there, training."

Paqueta, 20, burst onto the scene in Brazil last season with his playmaking, flair and eye for goal and has since received reported interest from Liverpool and Manchester City among others. However, Flamengo are determined not to sell for anything less than his €50 million buyout.

Bandeira de Mello added: "We were happy for Paqueta, of course. He's a player that's had his talent recognised, but he could have been called upon for other opportunities, like the World Cup. Not a friendly that doesn't mean anything against El Salvador, where he runs the risk of not even playing."

Brazil will play the United States in New Jersey on Sept. 7 and will face El Salvador four days later in Maryland.

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