Paysandu's Serie C schedule set as Bahia coach Ceni condemns referee after friendly loss

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) released the detailed itinerary for the final phase of the Serie C first stage. Paysandu will play Confiança on 10 August, Ferroviária on 17 August, Ituano on 22 August and Maringá on 29 August, with the eight best‑placed teams advancing to the next round.

Bahia coach Rogério Ceni criticized the officiating in a 2‑0 friendly defeat to Fluminense at the Maracanã, accusing referee Jodis Nascimento de Souza of bias. Ceni said the referee’s decisions – including a missed penalty for Bahia and questionable fouls awarded to Fluminense – “made us a fool” and called for a neutral official in future matches. Bahia’s next fixture is against Chapecoense on 17 August.