Candidate supported by 25 federations promises renewal amid the boycott of 21 clubs and criticism of the power structure of the entity; PLAY IS CALLED THIS SUNDAY (25.MAI)
The election that can confirm as new president of (Brazilian Football Confederation) will be held on Sunday (25.MAI.2025).
The claim will define who will command the entity until 2029, amid discussions about governance, representativeness and the future of Brazilian football.
Who is Samir Xaud?
Samir Xaud, 41, is a doctor specializing in sports medicine and entrepreneur. He would command the Roraima Football Federation, succeeding his father, Zeca Xaud, who has been at the head of the entity for about 4 decades. Samir’s candidacy received from 25 of the 27 state federations, as well as clubs such as Vasco, and Grêmio.
In his campaign, Xaud defends the professionalization of arbitration, the strengthening of women’s football and a management that prioritizes all regions of the country.
Xaud’s proposals are the creation of programs for the development of the grassroots categories in the North and Northeast regions and the revision of the CBF Statute, with the declared objective of making the entity “More transparent and democratic”.
Despite the support of 25 federations, 21 clubs will not participate in the election on Sunday. The name that pleased the most clubs was Reinaldo Carneiro Bastos, president of (Paulista Football Federation).
What do the clubs want?
The 21 clubs that decided not to participate in the Sunday election seek profound changes in the CBF power structure. The main claim is the revision of the current electoral model, which privileges state federations with greater weight in the votes – each worth 3 votes, against 1 vote of the clubs. For them, this configuration limits the representativeness of clubs, which are the protagonists of national football.
In addition, these clubs support the creation of an independent league, which would act with greater autonomy in organizing national championships, reducing the traditional political influence of the CBF. The initiative aims to give clubs more power in the management of Brazilian football and expand transparency in decisions.
Why will 21 clubs vote?
Of the 40 Clubs of the Series A and B of the Brazilian Championship, 21 will not participate in the election. The absence is motivated by political differences, criticism of the electoral process and dissatisfaction with the conduct of the entity.
Another point of dissatisfaction is the criticism of what they call “Cartolage”term used to describe concentrated control and lack of transparency that, according to these teams, have been persisting in the CBF for decades.
A particular case is that of Ponte Preta, which will not have its vote computed for bureaucratic reasons: the club sent power of attorney by email, but the CBF requires the original document.
How does the electoral model of the CBF works?
The CBF electoral college consists of 27 state federations and 40 clubs from series A and B. In the current model, federations have greater weight: each is worth 3 votes, while each club is entitled to only 1.
History of CBF Management
The CBF crosses one of institutional problems. In recent years, former presidents such as Ricardo Teixeira, Marco Polo Del Nero and Rogério Caboclo have moved away or were banned from football for allegations of corruption or harassment, which has weakened the entity’s credibility.
Ednaldo Rodrigues was the 5th president of CBF to be office in the last 7 terms. Only Colonel Nunes, who occupied the presidency interimly between 2017-2019 and 2021, was not removed.
Ricardo Teixeira commanded the 1989 to 2012 CBF, resigned claiming health problems and was then banned by FIFA for receiving about $ 8 million in bribes. José Maria Marin took over in 2012, but was arrested in Switzerland in 2015 in the “Fifagate” scandal and convicted in the US in 2017.
Marco Polo Del Nero chaired the entity between 2015 and 2017, was banned by FIFA for corruption and preventively removed. Rogério Caboclo led from 2019 to 2021, but was removed after allegations of harassment, which he denied.
Although they do not directly interfere with the election, FIFA and Conmebol follow the process closely, especially given the risk of judicial intervention or conflicts between clubs and the CBF, as has happened in other national federations.
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What is at stake?
As a unique candidate, Samir Xaud must be elected. In the term of office, it will have the challenge of implementing structural reforms, strengthening women’s football and improving governance, reconciling the interests of federations and clubs.
In addition, it will need to ensure stability to the Brazilian team, especially with the expectation around Ancelotti’s management. The result of the election must define the entity’s political and sports direction for the next 4 years.
The journalist Juca Kfouri, who has been following the backstage of Brazilian football for decades, sees the election as another chapter of maintaining the current system at CBF. According to him, “What is at stake is the maintenance of the notary that has been dismantling in Brazilian football for decades and enriches the cartolage.”
Asked if he believes in changes with the election, Kfouri was succinct: “To the flies”suggesting that only positions of positions change, while the power structure remains the same.
The absence of 21 clubs in the electoral process was also approached, but Kfouri declined to comment directly.
