Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) president Ednaldo Rodrigues is back in his position. The country’s highest court reversed a December 2023 decision to remove him following alleged irregularities in his election — a move that led to FIFA threatening to sanction the CBF for government interference, banning any Brazilian teams from international competitions on the club and national team levels.

Supreme Court judge Gilmar Mendes ruled to overturn the decision by the Rio de Janeiro Court in response to a complaint filed by Brazil’s Communist Party (PCdoB). A key concern was the January 5 deadline for the Verdeamarelha to enroll a team in the 2024 South American Pre-Olympic Tournament, which would in turn keep them from qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Mendes heard recommendations from the Rio de Janeiro’s Prosecutor’s Office and Brazil’s Attorney General’s Office to reinstate Rodrigues until the Supreme Court rules on the accusations of irregularities.

In his decision, the judge admitted the existence of “a real possibility of harm” to Brazilian teams’ opportunity to compete. “To avoid damages of this nature while the Supreme Court deliberates […] it is necessary to grant a cautionary measure,” Mendes said in his ruling.

The Rio de Janeiro Court dismissed Rodrigues on December 7 after they found irregularities in his election as president last year. The court appointed Perdiz as interim president of the CBF to organize new elections. 

FIFA rejected the move in a letter to the CBF signed jointly with South American confederation Conmebol, stating they would send a delegation to meet in the CBF headquarters with “all stakeholders” to examine the situation on the week of January 8. Should elections take place before then, FIFA warned that it would consider suspending the CBF, banning any Brazilian team from taking part in international competitions.

Team troubles

Away from legal courts, the Brazilian men’s national football team has also been struggling on the pitch. Currently sitting in the last direct qualification spot for the 2026 World Cup, the Verdeamarelha‘s performance has been underwhelming under recently sacked head coach Fernando Diniz.

Many were hoping for the arrival of Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti but he has renewed his contract with the Spanish club.

“I had some conversations with the Brazilian national team and their president,” admitted Ancelotti last Tuesday. “I thank him for his kindness and the offer to coach Brazil, which made me very proud, but I was waiting for Real Madrid’s decision. Now [Rodrigues] isn’t president anymore but things worked out the way I wanted: I’m staying with Real Madrid.”

Another elite name mentioned as a candidate was Portuguese coach José Mourinho, currently at Italian side AS Roma, but the former Manchester United and Chelsea boss denied having any interest last Thursday.