The crisis within the Confederação Brasileira de Futebol (CBF) has reached a critical juncture as President Ednaldo Rodrigues faces mounting pressure following serious allegations of forgery involving a key document that facilitated his election.
Coronel Antônio Carlos Nunes de Lima, a controversial figure in Brazilian football, has once again found himself at the center of a scandal. Once the long-serving president of the Federação Paraense de Futebol (FPF) and later the first Pará representative to lead the CBF, Nunes’ signature on a crucial document supporting Ednaldo’s presidency has been confirmed as falsified. This revelation comes from a technical report by expert Jacqueline Tirotti, commissioned by Rio de Janeiro councilor Marcos Dias Pereira, and has been made public through the portal Leo Dias.
The document in question was allegedly signed by Nunes and addressed to the president of the General Assembly, discussing the election of the new CBF president. The forensic analysis compared Nunes’ original signatures from 2015 to 2023 with the signature on the contested document and concluded that there is no graphic compatibility.
This incident has not only raised questions about Ednaldo’s legitimacy as president but has also sparked a broader examination of the CBF’s governance. The Supreme Federal Court (STF) is set to revisit this issue on May 28, 2025, when it will deliberate on the legitimacy of the Ministério Público’s (MP) ability to negotiate Terms of Adjustment of Conduct with sports entities. This follows a January 2024 decision by Minister Gilmar Mendes that reinstated Ednaldo after suspending previous judicial decisions that limited the MP's intervention in sports matters.
Ednaldo’s troubles began when the Tribunal de Justiça do Rio de Janeiro (TJ-RJ) ruled on December 7, 2023, that he must vacate his position due to the invalidation of an agreement with the MP that had allowed his election. This agreement was deemed flawed because it altered electoral rules without proper consultation with first-division club representatives, raising concerns about the fairness of the electoral process.
As the situation escalates, Ednaldo Rodrigues is facing increasing scrutiny. Journalist Paulo Vinícius Coelho reported that the environment in Brasília and Rio de Janeiro is turning against him, especially following the allegations surrounding Nunes’ signature. A public hearing requested by federal deputy Sargento Gonçalves could soon materialize, potentially leading to further investigations into the circumstances surrounding Ednaldo's re-election.
Adding to Ednaldo’s woes is the fact that his relationship with Minister Gilmar Mendes has soured. Sources close to the CBF indicate that Mendes has grown disillusioned with Ednaldo following unfulfilled commitments made before Ednaldo's recent re-election. Ednaldo had promised to appoint three nominees suggested by Mendes and Luís Roberto Barroso, the current president of the STF, to the CBF board, but only one was appointed, straining their relationship further.
This rift has been exacerbated by the revelation of a lucrative contract between the CBF and the IDP (Instituto Brasileiro de Ensino, Desenvolvimento e Pesquisa), which is associated with Mendes. The exposure of this connection has raised ethical questions and has led to public outcry, further isolating Ednaldo.
Moreover, a medical report has surfaced indicating that Coronel Nunes suffers from ataxia, leading to progressive cognitive decline, which raises significant questions about his ability to have signed the document in question. Neurologist Jorge Roberto Pagura stated that Nunes, now 85 years old, requires constant assistance for simple tasks, casting doubt on his capacity to engage in administrative actions.
Financially, the CBF has also come under scrutiny due to substantial transfers amounting to R$ 3.5 million to accounts associated with Nunes from 2022 to 2024. These monthly payments of R$ 100,000 have sparked allegations of impropriety and have led to further calls for accountability within the CBF.
If the allegations of forgery are confirmed, the legal ramifications could be severe, potentially leading to the annulment of Ednaldo’s election and a significant shake-up within the CBF’s leadership structure. This unfolding drama not only threatens Ednaldo’s presidency but could also have far-reaching implications for the governance of football in Brazil.
The CBF has yet to issue an official statement regarding these developments, but the STF is closely monitoring the situation, aware that the outcomes could redefine the landscape of Brazilian football governance. As the May 28 court date approaches, the stakes continue to rise for Ednaldo Rodrigues and the future of the CBF.
