FIFA warned Brazil on Sunday (24) that it may suspend its national teams and clubs from international competitions if an intervention in its football federation (CBF) results in the election of a new president in January.
FIFA stated in a letter to a Brazilian football executive that the CBF could face suspension if it does not heed its call to wait and instead conducts a quick election to replace Ednaldo Rodrigues as president, regardless of this. The document was obtained by ESPN and the Associated Press.
A court in Rio de Janeiro removed Rodrigues and all his appointees from their positions in the CBF on December 7 due to irregularities in his election. The two highest courts in Brazil upheld this decision.
The decision against 69-year-old Rodrigues could jeopardize Brazil’s bid to host the Women’s World Cup in 2027 and its pursuit to hire Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti to lead the national team next year.
FIFA historically rejects governmental and third-party interference in its member associations, which ultimately could leave Brazil, a five-time World Cup winner, out of major competitions until the crisis is resolved.
The Rio court’s decision also appointed José Perdiz, head of Brazil’s main sports court, as an intervener to organize new presidential elections within 30 business days. FIFA has stated in previous letters to the CBF that it considers the intervention inappropriate.
The Sunday letter was signed by Kenny Jean-Marie, FIFA’s chief member associations officer, and by CONMEBOL’s deputy secretary-general, Monserrat Jiménez Garcia.
FIFA and the South American football body CONMEBOL also stated in the letter that they will form a commission to discuss the matter in Brazil on January 8.
“FIFA and CONMEBOL would like to strongly emphasize that until this mission occurs, no decision affecting the CBF, including any elections or calls for elections, should be made. If this is not respected, FIFA will have no choice but to submit the matter to its relevant decision-making body for consideration and decision, which may also include a suspension,” the letter stated.
“For greater clarity, we would also like to emphasize that if the CBF is eventually suspended by FIFA’s relevant body, it will lose all its membership rights with immediate effect and until the suspension is lifted by FIFA. This will also mean that representatives of the CBF and club teams will no longer be able to participate in any international competition while suspended,” it added.
The document also states that any irregular interference in its member associations “may lead to sanctions as provided in FIFA’s Statutes, including suspension, even if the influence of third parties is not the fault of the member association in question.”
Perdiz stated in a statement that he views FIFA’s letter “as a positive sign.” He also added that he “will call for elections within the established timeframe, with the required transparency and integrity.”
Source: Original text ESPN