By Samindra Kunti
February 18 – Ten Brazilian top flight clubs have formed ‘Forte Futebol’, a group to bolster a collective bargaining position amid ongoing talks over a breakaway league.
America-MG, Atletico Goianiense, Athletico Paranaense, Avai, Ceara, Coritiba, Cuiaba, Fortaleza, Goias, Fortaleza, Goias and Juventude want to work together to ensure their interests will be taken into account if and when Brazilian clubs do decide to launch their own league.
In a statement on social media, ‘Forte Futebol’ said that “with the new investment possibilities, both in Brazilian clubs and in competitions, there have been interested parties in the market willing to manage and administer a league in the country. A subject that we had already debated for some years.”
“As we never had a strong and unified class institution, it was not possible. Now we have a new scenario, and new and old “actors” wanting to step in. Groups, companies, brokers and others. But to build something solid, you need to know the terrain better. The more information, the better. Brazilian clubs, which are the main interested in participating in a strong league, should unite.”
The group doesn’t contain any clubs from Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, often still considered both the heartland and power centre of the domestic game. Corinthians, Palmeiras, Red Bull Bragantino, Santos, Sao Paulo, Flamengo and Atletico Mineiro have formed a block of their own in the past.
These big clubs appointed Codajas Sports Kapital, led by Flávio Zveiter to draw up a valuation for the proposed breakaway league.
The smaller ten, who hold 50% of the top flight’s TV rights, have now responded by joining forces to protect their market share in the future, another indication that all clubs are taking breakaway league very serious. But ‘Forte Futebol’ said that “the group is open, without founding members, in which all participants will have a voice”.
For years Brazilian clubs have considered a breakaway league, but those plans never progressed beyond the brainstorming stage.
However, in 2021, the country’s top 40 clubs declared they wanted to form a league, a week after Rogerio Caboclo had been sidelined as CBF president over accusations of sexual harassment. In a rare moment of unity, 19 of the 20 Serie A clubs also handed over a document to the CBF, stating their intent to create a league structure as early as 2022.
Various investment groups have come forward expressing interest in the launch, and ‘informal’ talks remain ongoing.
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