The court of Rio de Janeiro, in a decision of Judge Gabriel Zefiro, determined on Thursday (15) the removal of Ednaldo Rodrigues from the presidency of the CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation). The magistrate appointed Fernando Sarney, one of the entity’s vice presidents, as an intervener, responsible for calling new elections “as soon as possible.”
Although he is deputy of Ednaldo, Sarney is broken politically with the leader. In line with the opposition, he did not integrate the reelection plate of the president, winner for acclamation, on March 24.
In his decision, the judge considered the agreement that validated the first election won by Ednaldo nullized. “Due to the mental inability and possible forgery of the signature of one of the signatories, Antonio Carlos Nunes de Lima, known as Colonel Nunes,” wrote the magistrate.
Nunes was one of the signatories in the TAC (Conduct Adjustment Agreement) signed between the Public Prosecution Service and the CBF to avoid questions about the process that led Ednaldo to the presidency of the entity. The competence of the MP for such agreement, however, is questioned.
On May 28, the Supreme Court (STF) will continue the judgment of ADI (Direct Unconstitutionality Action) 7580, which evaluates the legitimacy of the Public Prosecution Service to sign this type according to sports entities.
Currently, Ednaldo was supported by his chair by an injunction of Minister Gilmar Mendes, rapporteur of the case.
In the wake of the lawsuit, Deputy Daniela Carneiro (União Brasil-RJ) filed a petition requesting the immediate removal of the top hat, based on a report that questions the authenticity of Colonel Nunes’s signature in the TAC earlier this year.
Gilmar Mendes denied the request for immediate removal and said that the questioning about the validation of Nunes’ signature was the responsibility of Rio de Janeiro’s courts.
Judge Gabriel Zefiro, then, based on Colonel Nunes’ health history, decided to nullify the TAC. “The robustness of the evidence brought to the file leads to the unattended conclusion about a fact, even of course: Colonel Nunes has long been able to consciously express his will. His acts are guided. They do not emanate from his free and conscious will,” says the decision.
“The immediate and logical consequence is the recognition of the illegitimacy of the current administration of the CBF, the result of the agreement declared null. The entity cannot remain a flove and it is imperative that lawful elections are made within statutory legality,” adds the magistrate.
In addition to the lawsuits of Rio and the STF, Ednaldo Rodrigues will still have two more cases to face. On Monday (12), the CBF Ethics Commission welcomed two complaints against the top hat.
One of them was opened after Councilman Marcos Dias Pereira (Somos-RJ), chairman of the Rio de Janeiro City Council Human Rights Commission, to bring to the MPT (Public Prosecution Service) complaints from CBF officials on bullying and sexual harassment, persecution, humiliation, as well as non-compliance with a TAC signed with the MPT to curb these practices precisely.
The second complaint was opened the departure of the petition filed by Deputy Daniela Carneiro. In both cases, the Ethics Commission will start an internal investigation.
Sought to comment on the complaints, the CBF stated that “does not comment on matters taken to the Ethics Commission. The commission is an independent body.”
At the entity, the departure of the agent was treated as a matter of time. Employees understood that a defeat in any of Ednaldo’s accusations would result in his fall.
Earlier this week, aware that his removal could occur at any time, the leader was in a hurry to close Carlo Ancelotti’s hiring to command the Brazilian team.
The announcement even before any statement by Real Madrid, the club with which the Italian still has a bond, was an attempt by the top hat to stifle his call to attend the TJ-RJ at an audience about the authenticity of Colonel Nunes’ signature.
Former CBF vice-president, Nunes was also called, but his lawyer, André Mattos, claimed that, for health reasons, he would not be able to present himself to the court, which led to the postponement of the hearing.
Hence Ednaldo’s hurry to realize Ancelotti’s hiring before he was without the power of the pen in his hands, as it happens now, and could have prevented the outcome of the dragged negotiation.
