Brazilian Football Federation to Elect New Leader Before Ancelotti’s Introduction

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) will elect a new president on May 25, as Carlo Ancelotti is set to be introduced as the new national coach. Current caretaker president Fernando Sarney announced the election, following the removal of Ednaldo Rodrigues after a court ruling. The electoral process is to be managed by an independent commission. Meanwhile, Rodrigues is appealing his ousting to the Supreme Court.

In a significant turning point for Brazilian soccer, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) plans to vote on a new president on May 25, coinciding with the final day of Spain’s La Liga. This announcement was made by CBF vice president Fernando Sarney, who has been appointed as the caretaker president following the removal of Ednaldo Rodrigues by a court decision. Interestingly, the same day will also see the introduction of renowned coach Carlo Ancelotti as the new head of the national team.

Under Rodrigues’ leadership, Ancelotti was scheduled to arrive at CBF headquarters in Rio de Janeiro the day following the vote to outline his squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay. Although Ancelotti confirmed his willingness to take over as coach after the conclusion of La Liga, he has not specified an exact date for his arrival.

The election will not only involve appointing a new president but also filling eight vice-presidential positions. Sarney emphasized that an independent electoral commission will oversee the entire electoral process to ensure transparency and fairness.

A Rio de Janeiro judge, Gabriel de Oliveira Zefiro, sanctioned Rodrigues’ removal from the presidency on Thursday, calling for new elections to be convened as swiftly as possible. Notably, Rodrigues is contesting this ruling with an appeal to Brazil’s Supreme Court. The former president had announced Ancelotti’s hiring just days earlier, following his re-election in March to serve until 2030.

Zefiro assigned Sarney to manage the new elections, ruling that the prior agreement affirming Rodrigues’ first term was invalid, making his re-election questionable. Sarney previously sought legal action to unseat Rodrigues, claiming that the validity of the agreement had been compromised by the mental capacity of one of its signatories, Antonio Carlos Nunes, who is 86 years old.

In light of the ongoing legal proceedings, Sarney asserted that he would not interfere with Brazil’s agreement with Ancelotti. This is not the first time Rodrigues has faced legal troubles, as he was previously ousted from his position in December 2023, although that decision was later overturned by the Supreme Court.

Due to the previous court battle, CBF’s vice presidents reached an agreement in January that legitimized Rodrigues’ initial term, clearing the path for his second run. Despite the legal controversies surrounding his presidency, Rodrigues has refrained from commenting on the current situation.

The upcoming CBF election on May 25 marks a critical juncture for Brazilian soccer, as it coincides with the introduction of Carlo Ancelotti as the new national coach. With Fernando Sarney at the helm as caretaker president, the electoral process is set to unfold under the scrutiny of an independent commission. The political saga surrounding Ednaldo Rodrigues continues to evolve, raising questions about the future leadership of the CBF amid ongoing legal disputes and appeals. The outcome of this election may significantly influence Brazil’s soccer trajectory moving forward.

Original Source: apnews.com