- By Manik Sharma
- Mon, 25 Dec 2023 04:05 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
In a major blow to Brazilian football, FIFA has issued a warning to Brazil, cautioning that it could suspend the country's national teams and clubs from international competitions if an intervention by its soccer body leads to the election of a new president in January 2024.
The warning came in a letter to a Brazilian soccer executive, that the Brazilian soccer body, CBF, could face suspension if it proceeds with a swift election to replace Ednaldo Rodrigues as president, disregarding FIFA's call to wait.
The letter, obtained by The Associated Press, follows a Rio de Janeiro court's removal of Rodrigues and his appointees from office on December 7 due to irregularities in his election last year. Brazil's highest courts upheld that ruling last week.
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“FIFA and CONMEBOL would like to strongly emphasise that, until such mission takes place, no decision affecting CBF, including any elections or call for elections, shall be taken. Should this not be respected, FIFA will have no other option but to submit the matter to its relevant decision-making body for consideration and decision, which might also include a suspension,” Associated Press quoted from the letter as saying.
“For the sake of good order, we would also like to underline that should CBF be eventually suspended by the relevant FIFA body, it would lose all of its membership rights with immediate effect and until the suspension is lifted by FIFA. This would also mean that CBF representative and clubs teams would no longer be entitled to take part in any international competition while it is suspended,” the letter added.
FIFA, known for rejecting government and third-party interference in its member associations, could potentially exclude five-time World Cup winners Brazil from major competitions until the crisis is resolved.
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José Perdiz, the head of Brazil's top sports court who has been bestowed with the responsibility of an intervener to conduct presidential elections within 30 working days sees FIFA's letter as a positive sign and committed to calling for transparent and integrity-driven elections within the established deadline.
The ruling against Rodrigues could impact Brazil's bid to host the Women's World Cup in 2027 and his efforts to hire Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti to lead the national team next year.
(With Inputs From AP)