Brazil is not banned in football

 Brazil is not banned in football

Facade of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) headquarters on June 01, 2021 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. CONMEBOL announced on Monday May 31 that Brazil will host the next Copa America, initially scheduled to be played in Colombia and Argentina. Due to an ongoing social crisis, Colombia was removed as co-host earlier this month and Argentina was pulled out at the last minute as the country faces a surge in COVID-19 cases(Image-Getty)

Ednaldo Rodríguez was removed from the post of president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) at the beginning of last December by the order of a judicial court in Rio de Janeiro. As outside interference in member associations is illegal under FIFA law, football's governing body sent a letter to the CBF later that month. In that letter, FIFA and CONMEBOL threatened to ban the CBF. But Emilio Garcia, director of FIFA's legal department, said yesterday that they are no longer in danger of being banned after Ednaldo Rodríguez returns to the post of CBF president.

On December 7, Ednaldo Rodríguez was removed from the post of CBF president by a court in Rio de Janeiro. An interim president was also appointed thereafter. The decision was taken by the court after a controversy over the selection process of the CBF. FIFA then said in a letter to the CBF that the selection process could only begin after the South American Football Confederation (CONMABLE) and a commission constituted by FIFA visited the CBF.

But last week Brazil's high court judge Gilmar Mendez ordered Rodríguez reinstated as CBF president. Mendez argued that removing Ednaldo Rodríguez through the courts could lead to FIFA bans for Brazilian football. Brazil will not be able to participate in international competitions and the image of the country's football will also be damaged.

Emilio Garcia, director of FIFA's legal department, said, "We are relieved by the decision of the Supreme Court (High Court). Brazilian football reinstated Ednaldo as president in a free and democratic decision. We are happy to return to the old way, the way Brazil elects its president. Brazilian football was at high risk of being banned from international competition. After the decision of the Supreme Court, that possibility no longer exists.

CBF president Ednaldo thanked FIFA and CONMEBOL for their support "this was the moment when Brazilian football returned to normal". There are many challenges ahead according to the schedule. From now on we want to focus on the development of Brazilian football. I am transparently selected. Brazilian football wins when autonomy is guaranteed. We are sure that Brazilian clubs and national teams will now be able to participate in international competitions.

Emilio Garcia, director of FIFA's legal department, said, "We are relieved by the decision of the Supreme Court (High Court). Brazilian football reinstated Ednaldo as president in a free and democratic decision. We are happy to return to the old way, the way Brazil elects its president. Brazilian football was at high risk of being banned from international competition. After the decision of the Supreme Court, that possibility no longer exists.

The performance of the Brazilian team on the field is not so good. Brazil is sixth in the points table in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. They lost three matches in a row to Uruguay, Colombia and Argentina. Brazilian football is not having a good time off the field either. Ednaldo Rodríguez fired interim national team coach Fernando Diniz last Friday after returning to the presidency. His place will be taken by the former coach of Sao Paulo Darival Junior. He will be officially introduced as Brazil's coach on Wednesday, Reuters reported.