Betfair expands into Brazilian market with record Vasco da Gama shirt deal
May 14 – Brazilian club Vasco da Gama has signed a new main sponsorship with Flutter Entertainment online betting brand Betfair.
South America
GolTV put under pressure to pay rights fees in Ecuador as players go unpaid
May 13 – GolTV, the pay-television broadcaster that holds domestic rights to Ecuador’s top-tier Serie A, faces losing its lucrative contract as a 15-day countdown begins for them to pay clubs outstanding rights fees.
Maradona’s 1986 World Cup Golden Ball trophy to be auctioned in Paris
May 8 – Diego Maradona’s Golden Ball trophy from the 1986 World Cup, which went missing for decades, will be auctioned in Paris next month and is expected to raise millions.
Argentina mourns loss of World Cup winner César Luis Menotti, 85
May 7 – César Luis Menotti, the charismatic coach who led Argentina to their first World Cup title in 1978, has died at the age of 85, the Argentine Football Association has announced.
Botafogo increased borrowings as Textor spreads the cash around
May 7 – Botafogo has borrowed R$333 million ($65.6 million) from American owner John Textor, but not all the cash has remained in the club.
New medical report casts doubt over cause of Maradona’s heart attack ahead of homicide trial
May 3 – A medical examiner’s report into the death of Argentine legend Diego Maradona has questioned evidence in the criminal negligence case brought against eight medical workers a month before they are set to stand trial for homicide.
Fluminense debt hits $160m but club shows increased profit
May 2 – Fluminense are the latest Brazilian club to report rising debt levels in their 2023 financial year, now running at more than R$800 million ($156.5 million) in 2023. This is despite the Rio club reporting an operating surplus of R$78 million ($15.3 million).
CAS clears Brazil’s Gabigol of attempted anti-doping fraud
May 1 – Flamengo striker Gabriel Barbosa has been cleared to play again, pending an appeal against his ban for a violation of anti-doping rules, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said on Tuesday.
Santos report rising debt levels as club faces life in Brazil’s second tier
May 1 – Santos, who were relegated to Brazil’s Serie B last season, have reported rising debt of more than 4%, from R$578 million ($111 million) in 2022, to more than R$600 million in 2023.
Ronaldo exits Cruzeiro ownership with $117m sale to Pedro Figueiredo
April 30 – Brazilian legend Ronaldo has sold his stake in his boyhood club Cruzeiro following criticism over his management. Supermarket chain billionaire Pedro Figueiredo has acquired 100% of the club.
Botafogo owner Textor receives 45-day ban for Palmeiras match fixing comments
April 29 – Botafogo owner John Textor has been suspended by Brazil’s Supreme Court of Sports Justice (STJD) for 45 days following his allegations of match manipulation by rival club Palmeiras.
Unilever signs on for Copa América 2024 in US to push its personal care brands
Aril 29 – Unilever will be a first-time sponsor for Conmebol’s Copa América that will be played in the US across 14 cities from June 20 to July 14.
Marta to quit international football after the Olympics
April 26 – Brazil legend Marta, 38, will retire from international football this year, she confirmed.
No head for heights: Flamengo lose first match of 2024 to Bolivar
April 25 – In their first defeat of 2024, Brazilian giants Flamengo went down 2-1 to Bolivar to cede the initiative in Group E of the Copa Libertadores to the Bolivian club.
Brazilian judge postpones Textor trial to examine Good Game! report
April 19 – Brazil’s sports tribunal has postponed the trial of Botafogo owner John Textor after the American presented ‘credible’ evidence to back up his allegations of match-fixing.