Corinthians losses hit record €29m as wages cut and stadium costs weigh heavy
May 5 – Brazilian giants Corinthians registered a record loss of €29.4 million last season, aggravating the financial crisis at the club.
South America
Bolsanaro wants Brazilian teams back on the pitch now. CBF and clubs draw up plans
May 1 – Brazil may be in meltdown following the haphazard policies and incendiary rants of its president Jair Bolsonaro in response to the coronavirus pandemic, but the CBF and the country’s clubs are seeking a structured way out of the health crisis by drawing up plans for a resumption of training.
Argentina end league season and take opportunity to restructure competitions
April 28 – Argentina has become the latest country to cancel its domestic league as a consequence of the global health crisis.
CBF chief says no return to play in sight as clubs move to financial cliff-edge
April 14 – The secretary general of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) Walter Feldman has said that Brazilian football won’t return to action any time soon.
Ronaldinho released from Paraguayan jail but remains under house arrest
April 8 – Former Brazil and Barcelona star Ronaldinho, detained in Paraguay after an investigation into the use of fake passports to enter the country, has been released but will remain under house arrest in the country.
Coronavirus: Brazil’s CBF allocates $3.6m of support for lower tier clubs
April 7 – The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has allocated $3.6 million for clubs in the lower tiers of the Brazilian football pyramid and the women’s game in a bid to mitigate the financial crisis caused by the global coronavirus outbreak.
Conmebol reports record 2019 revenue, but says there is no rush to resume 2020 play
April 3 – Conmebol posted record revenue of $509 million in 2019, the South American governing body announced on Thursday during its 72nd Congress, which was staged by teleconference.
Infantino puts public health first, telling Conmebol that football’s future will be ‘different’
April 3 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino has said that “nobody knows” how football will have to change when it returns but that it is “going to be different”.
Flamengo seek Copa Libertadores advance to smooth out cashflow
March 27 – Flamengo are chasing an upfront payment of the €1.6 million the Brazilians are entitled to for their participation in the group phase of the Copa Libertadores as they move to bolster their cash flow.
Brazilian players refuse wage cut proposal, but demand 30 days paid leave
March 26 – Brazil’s union of professional football players (Fenapaf) has refused proposals by the clubs to reduce player salaries by 25% while the game is in lockdown in the country. Instead, the union and players are demanding 30 days of paid leave.
Dani Alves critical of Brazilian president Bolsonaro’s Covid-19 denial
March 25 – Veteran full back and Sao Paulo captain Daniel Alves has criticised Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro over his handling of the coronavirus crisis.
Colombian club bosses are using Covid-19 as excuse to cut wages, says union
March 23 – Acolfutpro, Colombia’s players union and an arm of FIFPro, has warned that local club presidents are using the outbreak of the coronavirus to pressure players into renegotiating their contracts.
Brazilian clubs open up facilities to health services
March 20 – A number of Brazilian clubs have joined the fight against the corona pandemic by opening up their facilities to health services.
Brazil’s CBF reports record €174m revenue
By Samindra Kunti
March 18 – The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has reported a record revenue of €174 million in 2019, in large part due to the FIFA World Cup payouts, TV rights income and sponsorship.
Coronavirus: Conmebol postpone 2021 Copa America
March 18 – Just like its European equivalent, South America’s flagship tournament, the Copa America, has been postponed from this year to 2021 because of the coronavirus outbreak.