August 26 – Suspended Confederation of Brazilian Football (CBF) president Rogerio Caboclo is being ushered towards the exit door, with the state federations firmly putting their weight behind Ednaldo Rodrigues to take over the leadership the organisation as interim president.
On Tuesday, CBF’s ethics committee dismissed allegations of sexual harassment against Caboclo (pictured) and instead recommended that he be removed from office for 15 months for “inappropriate conduct”.
This would not bar Caboclo from a return to the CBF in the long term, but on Wednesday the ruling body’s vice-president convened to back Rodrigues as the new supremo on a temporary basis. Twenty-three state presidents agreed that Caboclo’s time at the CBF is up, signing a document to underwrite their position.
Rodrigues is a CBF vice-president. In the past, he has chaired the state federation of Bahia for two decades, leaving that role in 2019. He replaces Antônio Carlos Nunes. Coronel Nunes had taken charge after Caboclo was suspended on the eve of the Copa America over allegations of sexual harassment. An employee recorded Caboclo asking her if she masturbated.
The CBF boss was initially suspended for 30 days, a period that was later extended for another 60 days. The accusations against Caboclo led to a major crisis at the CBF which was facing some significant challenges.
The national team, the CBF’s crown jewel, felt alienated from the hierarchy over the decision to stage the Copa America at the eleventh hour in Brazil, while Brazilian clubs accelerated talks to take full operational and commercial control of both the Serie A and Serie B, which remain, for now, under the umbrella of the CBF.
Caboclo also engaged in an unprecedented war of words with his former mentor Marco Polo del Nero, who still wielded considerable influence in the organisation.
Last week, another former employee came forward with allegations of sexual harassment against Caboclo, presenting the CBF with a six-page document detailing her claims. She brought the number of women who allege to have been harassed by Caboclo to three.
She wrote: “Rogério exposed me countless times. It started with professional dinners, at meetings he tried to hug me and kiss me, among other attempts to grab me by force. There were many occasions. He has tried everything from asking me to marry him in his office as Executive Managing Director, to total insanity with the physical harassment I describe below. He didn’t take no for an answer.”
Caboclo and his defense team have dismissed the new accusations. Next week, the CBF will hold a general assembly to decide Caboclo’s future.
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