Court orders removal of CBF’s board in Brazil
A court in Rio de Janeiro has ordered the removal of the board of directors of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), including its president, Ednaldo Rodrigues. The judicial decision came this Thursday, generating a stir in the country’s sports field.
Fernando Sarney, one of the CBF’s vice presidents, who requested Rodrigues’ dismissal, has been appointed interim president. His main task will be to call elections “as soon as possible”.
Rodrigues, re-elected in March, faces his second impeachment, just three days after the announcement of Carlo Ancelotti as the new coach of the Brazilian national team, in preparation for the 2026 World Cup.
The CBF has not issued immediate comments on the situation.
The legal case centers on an alleged forgery of the signature of the former CBF president, Antonio Carlos Nunes de Lima, in an agreement with Rodrigues earlier this year.
This agreement allowed Rodrigues to be re-elected as the leader of the organization until 2030.
“I declare null the agreement signed between the parties, previously approved by the Superior Court, due to the mental incapacity and the possible falsification of the signature of Antonio Carlos Nunes de Lima,” stated Judge Gabriel de Oliveira Zefiro.
Gabriel de Oliveira Zefiro
The judge also noted that Nunes’ defense cited health issues that prevented him from attending a hearing, adding that the former president’s mental capacity had been questioned since 2018, when he was diagnosed with brain cancer.
“As a result, the logical consequence is the recognition of the illegitimacy of the current CBF administration. The entity cannot remain without leadership, and it is imperative that legal elections be held, in accordance with the law,” added the judge.
Rodrigues had already been removed in December 2023, following a decision by the Court of Justice of Rio de Janeiro, due to a dispute over the CBF’s electoral process.
However, a month later, Brazil’s Justice Minister, Gilmar Mendes, ordered his reinstatement, citing the risk of the Brazilian national team being sanctioned by FIFA.
FIFA, however, ruled out sanctions after Rodrigues’ return, as it does not accept government interference in football matters.
