Brazil Soccer to Elect New President Before Ancelotti’s Introduction
The Brazilian Football Confederation will elect a new president soon, right before Carlo Ancelotti is introduced as the national team’s coach. Current caretaker Fernando Sarney announced elections set for May 25, following the removal of Ednaldo Rodrigues. Amid legal disputes, Sarney confirmed the integrity of Ancelotti’s contract will be maintained during this transition.
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) is gearing up to select a new president in the near future, just prior to welcoming Carlo Ancelotti as the new head coach for the national team. Fernando Sarney, the current CBF vice president, has taken the reins as caretaker president following the removal of Ednaldo Rodrigues. This election is slated for May 25, coinciding with the final day of the Spanish league season.
During Rodrigues’ tenure, Ancelotti—who has confirmed he will join Brazil upon the conclusion of La Liga—was expected to finalize his roster for the upcoming World Cup qualifier matches against Ecuador and Paraguay during a visit to CBF’s headquarters in Rio de Janeiro. However, no specific arrival date has been communicated yet.
The upcoming election will also include reinforcements in the CBF leadership, with eight vice president positions to be contested. “The management of the electoral process will be under the responsibility of an independent electoral commission,” Sarney mentioned in an official statement, marking a shift towards transparency in the electoral process.
Judge Gabriel de Oliveira Zefiro, operating from Rio, ousted Rodrigues on Thursday and urged the CBF to expedite the election process. Rodrigues, under legal strain, is appealing this decision to the Supreme Court of Brazil in hopes of retaining his position.
Despite being reinstated in March to serve until 2030, Rodrigues’ situation has taken a dramatic turn. Zefiro declared the agreement that allowed Rodrigues to secure his second term invalid, raising questions about his eligibility. Sarney, who previously sought Rodrigues’ removal, has been entrusted with the organization of the elections by the court.
In an interesting note, Sarney has confirmed he will honor the contract signed with Ancelotti, despite the ongoing political machinations within the CBF. This is not the first time that Rodrigues has faced removal from his post due to court intervention; an earlier decision in December of last year was eventually overturned by the Supreme Court.
The legal battles have been complex, particularly following a January agreement among vice presidents that sought to legitimize Rodrigues’ first term. Zefiro has criticized this agreement, citing that one of its signatories, 86-year-old Antonio Carlos Nunes, lacked the mental acuity needed to validate such documents. A court hearing to assess Nunes’ condition was meant to take place but was suspended shortly after Ancelotti’s appointment was announced.
Rodrigues has remained quiet, not providing any comments as the situation continues to unfold.
In sum, the Brazilian Football Confederation prepares for significant changes in leadership as it approaches a new presidential election. The introduction of Carlo Ancelotti as head coach coincides with ongoing legal battles surrounding Ednaldo Rodrigues’ previous tenure. With Sarney at the helm temporarily and amid appeals, the future of CBF leadership remains uncertain but will be addressed in the elections next month.
Original Source: apnews.com
