By Samindra Kunti
August 21 – In 2015 Brazilian broadcasting behemoth TV Globo invested about €335 million in football and TV-rights, but its vice-like grip over football in the country is for the first time being seriously challenged by competitors, with Rupert Murdoch’s Fox Sports at the forefront.
By Samindra Kunti
August 18 – In December the FIFA’s Executive Committee’s approval to ban third-party ownership of player’s economic rights (TPO) sent shockwaves through Brazilian football due to the prevalence of third-party arrangements. The early effective date, January 2015, had investors and clubs taken aback, worried with the possible consequences of the new rule, but what effect has the ban had so far on the Brazilian market?
By Ricardo Setyon
August 12 – In Brazil former footballers becoming politicians is not unusual – Bebeto, Vampeta, Tulio, Roberto Dinamite, and even Zico and Pelé had their time as members of governments – but none have reached the heights of Romário, one of the best goalscorers the country has ever produced.
August 12 – A Paraguayan club has been ordered to pay compensation to a footballer whose contract was suspended while he was being treated for cancer, according to world players’ union FIFPro.
By Ricardo Setyon
August 7 – They were best of friends but they have become the worst of enemies. Known in Brazil as ‘O Gordo e o Magro’, (the fat and the slim), former FIFA vice president and CBF chief Ricardo Teixeira (pictured left), and Traffic principal José Hawilla (right) have fallen out, and spectacularly so.
August 5 – A Brazilian council official is proposing creating a ‘Goal to Germany’ day every July to make the national team remember their humiliating 7-1 World Cup defeat last year.
By Samindra Kunti
August 5 – Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff (pictured) may veto medida provisoria 671 that will allow for the refinancing of Brazilians clubs’s debts, but implements new rules for better management and more transparency.
By Samindra Kunti
August 3 – Ronaldinho Gaucho marked his winning return to Brazilian football at the weekend with an assist against Gremio. He has a contract with Fluminense until December 2016, but did the Rio club just sign him for marketing reasons?
By Andrew Warshaw
August 3 – Paraguay has offered to be one of the five official nominees for UEFA boss Michel Platini’s bid for the FIFA presidency, the country’s federation said in a letter sent to FIFA.
By Andrew Warshaw
July 30 – As FIFA prepares to put in place a raft of reforms designed to clean up the organisation in the post-Sepp Blatter era, the South American Confederation (CONMEBOL) has struck first by introducing almost identical measures.
July 28 – Managers normally get fired for being knocked out of tournaments early but within a few of days of winning the Gold Cup, Miguel Herrera has been sacked as national coach of Mexico for punching a journalist.
By Ricardo Setyon
July 21 – The on-going saga of Neymar’s transfer to Barcelona and who actually ‘owns’ Neymar has taken another twist with one of the third party owners, an investment group from Brazil, claiming they have been cheated by Neymar’s father and Barcelona.
By Ricardo Setyon
July 17 – Brazil’s failure and early exit from the Copa America has prompted even more soul searching in-country, with commentators fearing that on current performance the team will not qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. A real possibility as their quarter final exit in Chile would not rank them in the qualifying slots.
By Samindra Kunti
July 17 – The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has signed a 30-year sponsorship deal with Ultrafarma, a pharmaceutical service provider with a large network of drugstores.
By Ricardo Setyon
July 15 – With the Brazilian National League now a quarter way into its season, two clubs and one man have surprised everyone. Recife from the north east of the country, and Ponta Prete from Campinas, 120km from Sao Paulo, are upsetting the accepted club hierarchy with a series of unexpected results.