Brazil’s Serie A considering $1bn offer for 20% stake, reports
November 25 – Brazilian clubs are contemplating a billion-dollar investment from private equity in a bid to take control of their own league.
South America
Billionaire Pereira takes over as first female president at Palmeiras
November 23 – On the eve of the Copa Libertadores final, Palmeiras have elected Leila Pereira as their new boss, the billionaire businesswoman becoming the first female president in the club’s history.
Botofogo bounce back to Brazil’s Serie A at first attempt
November 16 – With two games remaining in the season, Rio giants Botafogo have clinched the Serie B title and promotion to the top flight following a 2-1 rearguard win against Operario.
Brazil are first Conmebol nation to book Qatar 2022 passage
November 12 – Brazil have become the first South American country to qualify for the 2022 World Cup after a 1-0 victory against Colombia to maintain their proud record of having participated in every single World Cup.
Brazil’s CBF releases a packed domestic schedule for 2022
November 5 – Brazilian football officials have done it again: present an anachronistic club calendar, including 16 match days for the state championships, that will see the 2022 domestic top flight end in November, just in time for the Qatar World Cup.
Brazilian integrity dilemma as Tite’s son comes under fire for homophobic social media
November 1 – Brazil coach Tite has defended his son and national team backroom staff member Matheus Bachi (pictured sitting) after the latter liked anti-feminist and anti-LGBTQ posts on social media.
Conmebol dismiss FIFA’s biennial World Cup plan saying they would not take part
October 28 – Conmebol’s 10 FIFA members have shot down once and for all any suggestion that they would favour a World Cup taking place every two years. The South Americans had already indicated their opposition to the idea but have now made that formal, saying they would not play in a biennial event.
FIFA strips Globo of digital rights as it opens up its Brazilian media packages
October 20 – Brazilian broadcast giant TV Globo has lost exclusivity to the digital rights for the 2022 World Cup, with FIFA breaking out streaming rights and offering packages to Youtube, Facebook and TikTok.
Conmebol sets prices high for Copa Libertadores showpiece in Montevideo
October 20 – Flamengo and Palmeiras fans will have to splash the cash to attend the 2021 Copa Libertadores final in Montevideo, Uruguay. South American governing body Conmebol has set ticket prices for November’s showpiece match between $200 to $650.
Conmebol push Uruguyans to lift stadium capacity for all-Brazil Copa Libertadores final
October 15 – Conmebol wants to stage the Copa Libertadores final in Montevideo’s Estadio Centenario in front of 45,000 fans, a quarter more than the stadium capacity anticipated by local authorities.
Pelé released from hospital to continue cancer treatment at home
October 1 – Brazil legend Pelé has been released from hospital after undergoing surgery for a colon tumour. He will require further treatment at home.
Brazil extends Caboclo ban from CBF for sexual bullying
September 30 – Rogerio Caboclo has been suspended as president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) until 2023 because of sexual and psychological harassment.
Flamengo win sets up all-Brazilian Copa Libertadores final against Palmeiras
September 30 – Flamengo and Bruno Henrique once again breezed past Ecuador’s Barcelona 2-0 to complete a 4-0 semi-final victory and set up a blockbuster Copa Libertadores final against Palmeiras, the second all-Brazilian final in a row.
Europe and South America get closer with ‘Finalissima’. FIFA left out of the big game play
By Andrew Warshaw
September 29 – The geo-politics of world football have taken another significant twist with an agreement by UEFA and Conmebol to stage a showpiece inter-continental fixture between their respective champions next summer that could end up becoming an established part of the calendar – seemingly without the official approval of FIFA.
CBF asks for covid exemptions to release Premier League players for 2022 qualifiers
September 27 – Brazil’s FA (CBF) has requested quarantine exemptions from its government so that English-based players can take part in an upcoming World Cup qualifying match and avoid the farcical incident that occurred earlier this month.