Joinville beat Metropolitano 3-0 on Sunday in the ninth and final round of the Copa Santa Catarina. The match was played at the João Marcatto Stadium in Jaraguá do Sul, where suspended coach Diego Souza once again watched his team from the window of a nearby building.
With assistant coach Raphael Bahia on the touchline, Joinville secured the victory through goals from Pedro Arthur, Júlio César and Yann Rolim.
Already guaranteed a place in the semifinals before kickoff, Joinville finished the first phase in third place with 15 points. The team will face second-placed Hercílio Luz in the next round and will play the second leg away from home.
Metropolitano ended the competition in sixth place with eight points. The result also brought the professional squad’s 2026 schedule to an end.
Diego Souza was provisionally suspended by the Santa Catarina Football Sports Justice Tribunal on October 23 over the alleged use of a false coaching license. The one-month suspension prevents him from entering stadiums under the regulations of the Santa Catarina Football Federation.
As a result, Souza has followed Joinville’s recent matches from balconies and windows near the stadiums. He continues to train the team during the week, while Raphael Bahia takes charge on match days.
Souza’s coaching registration was canceled in the Brazilian Football Confederation’s player and staff registration system at the beginning of October. The measure followed comments by former Argentine player Alejandro Mancuso, who is being investigated in connection with the alleged sale of fake coaching diplomas to a group of athletes.
Souza remains in talks to regularize his registration and legally lead Joinville. The club is awaiting the judgment, with no possibility of a stay of the suspension.
Sources: Globo Esporte.