Football
ESPN staff 7y

Flamengo manager Ze Ricardo has phone number shared by angry fans

Flamengo coach Ze Ricardo was the subject of angry cell phone messages after fans shared his contact info in the wake of the club's 1-1 draw with rivals Fluminense on Sunday.

Ze Ricardo was criticised for his use of unpopular players as the team struggled against a Fluminense side primarily consisting of reserves, and his phone number was provided in a WhatsApp group for fans to vent their frustration.

Flamengo issued a statement denouncing the privacy breach on Monday, saying: "Flamengo condemn irresponsible attitudes such as this, from a supposed fan, who exposed the privacy of a professional of the club."

The individual responsible for initially sharing the manager's information, who is a minor, later apologised for his actions via social media, saying it wasn't his intention to invade the coach's privacy. 

"Yes, I have Ze Ricardo's number, but this [episode] doesn't mean I don't like him. I don't have anything against him," he said. "You can ask me to give the number of a pizzaria and I will send the number. What you say to them is not my problem. If someone takes the number and curses the guy, it's not my fault."

The individual claims to have received the coach's contact info from another source, and has defended himself by saying he wasn't responsible for spreading the number among chat groups.

"I was given the number, but I wasn't the one who spread it, I only shared with one person. I trusted in people that I shouldn't trust, and they demonstrated poor spirit," he said.

"I apologise to Flamengo that, in this troubled moment, I know that any crisis is bad. I apologise to everyone and recognise what I've done."

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