Fernando Sarney, interim president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), has set May 25 as the date for the presidential elections. This decision comes after the removal of Ednaldo Rodrigues from his position on Thursday by court order.
Sarney, who requested the court to remove Rodrigues, was tasked by the judge from Rio de Janeiro to hold elections “as soon as possible”.
The established date coincides with the proximity of the announcement of the first list of those called up by the new coach of the Brazilian national team, Carlo Ancelotti. This announcement is scheduled for the week prior to the CONMEBOL qualifiers in June, where Brazil will face Ecuador and Paraguay.
The management of the electoral process will be under the responsibility of an independent electoral commission.
Fernando Sarney
Sarney assured that Brazil’s agreement with Ancelotti will not be modified.
Rodrigues had been re-elected in March to remain in office until 2030. However, the validity of the election was questioned due to the alleged forgery of the signature of the former CBF president, Antonio Carlos Nunes de Lima, in an agreement with Rodrigues earlier this year.
Rodrigues lost an appeal before the Supreme Court on Thursday, as the judge ruled that the agreement that validated Rodrigues’ first term was null, and that, without it, Rodrigues should not have been eligible for his second term.
So far, no candidate has formally come forward to run for the main position. However, sources indicate that the president of the Paulista Football Federation, Reinaldo Carneiro Bastos, is considering running for election.
The CBF elections will also include eight vice president positions.
