Flamengo

Rio's Flamengo retires bad-luck jersey after two consecutive defeats


RIO DE JANEIRO, July 22 (Xinhua) -- Rio's football club Flamengo has decided to retire the team's brand new jersey after two defeats in the matches in which the uniform was used, local media said on Tuesday.

Flamengo's new uniform, based on the 70s version of the club kit, was used for the first time on July 17, when the team lost its five-round invincibility to Parana state's Coritiba 1-0. On July 20, the team lost again 1-0 to Bahia state's Vitoria.

After the second defeat, some fans claimed the new jersey brought bad luck, even though Flamengo was still adjusting to the loss of two of its star players, Marcinho and Renato Augusto, who were transferred in the beginning of July.

Flamengo chairman Marcio Braga decided then to retire the new uniform. The team is expected to wear the 2007/2008 model until the end of the Brazilian League, in December.

Superstitions aside, Flamengo is said to have a more significant reason for retiring the new uniform: the court struggle the club is having with its uniform manufacturer, Nike.

In May, Flamengo tried to break the agreement with Nike, which goes until July 2009, to sign a better deal with local manufacturer Olympikus. However, Nike won a court order which forced the club to fulfill the contract.

After two defeats in a row, Flamengo's lead in the Brazilian League is threatened. If the club ties or loses its next game, which will be played on Wednesday, it will risk losing the first position to runner-up Gremio, which is only one point behind.

Flamengo make official Love bid

Flamengo are stepping up their attempt to sign Wagner Love, the CSKA Moscow attacker.

The Brazil striker is rumoured to have attracted interest from The Premier League, with Everton and Tottenham linked, but a South American switch is in the pipeline.

Flamengo president Marcio Braga has confirmed that an official offer is being tabled to the Russian club in a bid to fend off competition from rival suitors.

"The interest we have for Wagner is not new," said Braga to UOL Esportes. "He is part of the Bangu family [an area of Rio de Janeiro] and, moreover, the player is a Flamengo fan.

"Our priority is an attacker and he would be at home in our club."

A counter bid from The Premier League could upset the plans but much will depend on which move Love wants to make at this stage of his career.

Everton's Brazilian target chooses Flamengo
Sunday 03 August 2008

The CSKA goal machine Wagner Love, who was rumoured to be another striker on David Moyes wishlist, has today left CSKA to return to Brazil with Flamengo.

The Brazilian international recently fell out with his club after being substituted, and it was then obvious he would be following his countryman Jo away from the club.

David Moyes was looking at the Brazilian as a replacement for Andy Johnson, and also Man City were reported to want him to partner Jo in attack, but he has finally decided to return home.

He has never seemed happy in Russia, despite scoring 44 goals in 90 games for the Moscow side, and after the bust-up, his move was inevitable.

It's a shame we won't be seeing his skills in the Premiership.

Wow...imagine if we had both Love and Jo on Manchester City
Nice to see him return to Brazil though...if Flamengo get Love and Ronaldo Gremio will have some trouble