Understand the controversy behind Viradouro's victory at RJ Carnival

A Unidos da Viradouro became champion of Rio de Janeiro Carnival 2024 this Wednesday (14), after obtaining 270.0 of punctuation. However, the Niterói samba school is in the midst of a controversy, which questions its victory.

After closing the night of the second day of performances, the group became one of the favorites by presenting a plot inspired by African roots.

However, on Wednesday afternoon, four samba schools — Big River , Empress Leopoldina , Youth It is Hummingbird — forwarded to Liesa (Independent League of Samba Schools of Rio de Janeiro) asking for punishment for Viradouro.

According to them, the school had an irregularity in its Front commission during the parade. Despite being allowed to parade with a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 15 members visible in this wing, Viradouro would have exceeded this limit.

The infraction may result in the association being penalized with 0.5 point loss . Before the investigation begins, Jorge Pelingeiro president of Liesa, informed that the League accepted the schools' resources and will analyze the request by this Thursday (15).

“We want to inform you that earlier today, around 12 noon at the League headquarters, during the regimental time, associations filed an appeal for the review of Unidos do Viradouro in the Front Committee”, he informed.

“All appeals were accepted and will be analyzed and responded to by tomorrow at Liesa headquarters when there will be a meeting with the six associations”, he added.

Even if Viradouro is punished, the samba school will not lose its title as current champion of the Rio de Janeiro Carnival. Crowned with 270.0 points, the association is 0.7 point in front of Empress Leopoldina second placed, who took 269.3 points.

This means that, even if Unidos da Viradouro is penalized with the loss of 0.5 points, it will finish with 269.5 in the total score and will remain in first place in the general classification.