Judge Removes Brazil Soccer President from Office Days after Ancelotti Hired
A Rio de Janeiro judge removed Ednaldo Rodrigues as Brazilian soccer confederation president on Thursday and ordered new elections “as soon as possible.” The embattled soccer executive later appealed to the country’s Supreme Court to be returned to his position.
Rodrigues, who this week announced the signing of Carlo Ancelotti as Brazil’s national team coach, had won re-election in March to remain on the job until 2030.
But judge Gabriel de Oliveira Zefiro’s ruling puts a confederation vice president, Fernando Sarney, in charge of organizing a new election. It was Sarney who had asked the court to unseat Rodrigues, The Associated Press reported.
The judge ruled the agreement that validated Rodrigues’ first term was null and void — and that without it, Rodrigues should not have been eligible for his second term.
Sarney said in a statement published on the Brazilian confederation website that he had already taken over to organize the new election as the longest-serving vice president of the soccer body. He also said “all sporting activities and current contracts will be preserved,” but it is yet to be clarified whether Ancelotti’s deal, confirmed by the confederation and the coach himself, is already valid.
Speaking to TV Globo, Sarney said he will not touch Brazil’s deal with Ancelotti.
