Betano takes over Brazil’s Serie A naming right in near $50m, 3-year deal
April 8 – Online betting operator Betano will replace Assaí as a title sponsor of the Brazilian topflight.
South America
Textor to face Brazilian sports court over allegations that corruption cost Botafogo 2023 title
April 4 – Botafogo owner John Textor could face up to a year’s suspension as he goes on trial at Brazil’s top sports court for failing to provide evidence for his claims of match-fixing in the Brazilian league.
Copa Libertadores kicks off with Brazilian clubs set to dominate again
April 3 – On Wednesday, Fluminense will kick off their defence of South America’s premier club competition the Copa Libertadores, which looks set for more Brazilian domination.
Textor puts match-fixing claims that lost Botafogo Serie A title in writing
April 2 – Botafogo owner John Textor has repeated his claim that match-fixing riddled the Brazilian top flight in 2023 and that decided the destination of the championship that was won by Palmeiras. Both Sao Paulo and Fortaleza have threatened legal action against the American.
Fluminense agree €7m+ short sponsorhip with Superbet
April 2 – Superbet will become a new main sponsor of South American champions Fluminense in a deal worth at least €7.7 million a year.
Botafogo close in on Braga’s Artur Jorge
April 2 – Portuguese manager Artur Jorge has confirmed he will move from Braga to Botafogo to lead the Rio club in the Brazilian league and Copa Libertadores this season.
England flagging, Germany find form, Brazil put on the style as Argentina on cruise control
March 27 – As the international break draws to a close and players return to club football for the business end of the season, national sides tested the waters across a host of international friendlies that could send shockwaves across the next FIFA World Rankings update in April.
Brazil’s Rodriques calls on law enforcers to criminalise racist abuse and for clubs and leagues to step up
By Andrew Warshaw
March 26 – The head of Brazilian football says fans should face criminal charges for the appalling racist abuse meted out to Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr in Spain.
Flamengo’s Gabigol to appeal 2-year ban for attempted anti-doping fraud
March 26 – Flamengo star Gabriel Barbosa Almeida ‘Gabigol’ has been suspended for two years by a Brazilian sports court for attempted anti-doping fraud.
CBF’s Rodrigues condemns ‘brutal rape crimes’ of Alves and Robinho
March 25 – The Confederation of Brazilian Football (CBF) president Ednaldo Rodrigues has expressed his solidarity with the victims of what he called “the brutal rape crimes” in the cases of Daniel Alves and Robinho, calling the convictions the end of “one of the most nefarious chapters” in Brazilian football.
Cimed agree 4-year Brazilian national team deal
March 25 – The Confederation of Brazilian Football (CBF) have renewed their partnership, covering both the men’s and women’s national teams, with pharmacy chain Cimed.
Brazil’s Pereira slams Spanish judiciary for releasing rapist Alves on bail
March 22 – Palmeiras president and Brazil’s chief of mission Leila Pereira has called Daniel Alves’s release on bail “a slap in the face of all women”ahead of Saturday’s England friendly.
Robinho starts 9-year jail term in Brazil
March 22 – Former Brazilian international Robinho has been arrested to serve his nine-year prison sentence for rape.
Robinho to serve 9-year jail sentence in Brazil for gang rape conviction in Italy
March 21 – Former Manchester City and Real Madrid striker Robinho must serve a nine-year prison sentence in his native Brazil as a result of a 2017 rape conviction in Italy, Brazilian judges have ruled.
Copa Libertadores draw favours leading Brazilian clubs
March 19 – Flamengo, Fluminense and Botafogo were handed benign draws in the Copa Libertadores while Palmeiras and River Plate of Argentina face a tougher route to the knockout stages.