Flamengo star Athirson has revealed in an interview that he feels hurt and betrayed by the club over their perceived lack of support during his doping trial. The left-back will meet a tribunal this week to receive judgement after alledgedly being found to have used a banned substance, but says his relationship with the club is at breaking point and, certain that he was sabotaged, does not exclude the club from the list of suspects. When asked if he believed the club could have done it to devalue the player and force him to stay, he would only reply "Maybe yes, maybe no. If I knew the truth I would say it".
The player has complained of the constant declarations from club directors which state that the renovation of his contract depends on the player himself. "From one hour to the next they've put all of the responsibility on me. If I leave, the fans are going to think that I've gone because I resolved to leave the club. Both sides must assume responsibility if a transfer happens", he stated. Athirson doesn't hide the fact that he is thinking of moving to Europe as soon as possible, and revealed that English club Arsenal have put in the biggest offer.