By Samindra Kunti
June 7 – Brazil supremo Rogerio Caboclo has been suspended for 30 days from his presidency at the Confederation of Brazilian Football (CBF) after a formal accusation of sexual harassment.
Caboclo has been a controversial figure within Brazilian football from the start of his reign in 2019 that in the last week have culminated in a perfect storm of criticism towards his leadership including national team players revolting over the decision to play the rearranged Copa America in covid-hit Brazil.
But it is the investigation into sexual harassment allegations by a former CBF employee that removed him from office.
In recent weeks, Caboclo’s name surfaced in the parliamentary inquiry committee into Brazil organising the Copa America during the pandemic. He also become the target of a FIFA investigation over his strong and lasting connections with the disgraced Marco Polo Del Nero.
On Sunday the CBF announced Caboclo’s 30-day suspension while the investigation is conducted and that he will be replaced in the interim by Colonel Nunes, who has himself not been without controversy.
In a statement, the CBF wrote that it “received this Sunday afternoon the decision of the Brazilian Football Ethics Commission temporarily suspending (for an initial period of 30 days) the president Rogerio Caboclo from the exercise of his functions.”
Caboclo has denied all allegations. Brazilian news outlet Globo revealed some of the accusations including details of the day when Brazil’s football boss, after successive abusive behavior, asked her if ‘she masturbated”. The former employee also said Caboclo tried to force her to eat a dog biscuit, calling her a “bitch”.
Caboclo’s drinking habits were also allegedly out of control, according to the former employee. He allegedly consumed alcohol during office hours and bottles were hidden in the bathroom so he could drink unnoticed.
He also appeared to worsen his own position when the CBF, backed by Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro stepped in at the eleventh hour to host the Copa America after Conmebol stripped both Argentina and Colombia of the hosting rights for the continental finals. Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia, Cuiaba and Goiania were named as host cities, but the decision was not well received in the Seleção cam with coach Tite and his players blindsided by Caboclo’s swift but secretive decision.
The embattled Caboclo pressed on with his agenda and following a visit to the dressing room he suggested no one should make public declarations about Brazil staging the Copa America. Those orders were complied with, but cryptically Brazil captain Casemiro said that “everyone knows our position” and confirmed that the team will only talk after Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Paraguay.
Globo reported that Caboclo promised Bolsonaro to replace Tite with former Gremio coach Renato Augusto, a supporter of the president.
Caboclo is the CBF’s fourth president who has been removed from office. Ricardo Teixeira, Marco Polo del Nero and Jose Maria Marin were accused of corruption – the latter condemned – and Caboclo is now suspected of sexual harassment. The CBF has 14 sponsorship deals in place for the national team, but sportswear giant Nike said it is “deeply concerned” with “the serious accusations” made against Caboclo.
Contact the writer of this story at samindra.kunti@moc.l1714046625labto1714046625ofdlr1714046625owedi1714046625sni@o1714046625fni1714046625