FIFA comments on the return of the President of the Brazilian Federation to his position

“We are reassured and happy with the Supreme Court's decision that restored President Ednaldo Rodriguez to his position,” said Emilio Garcia, head of FIFA's Legal Affairs and Compliance Department, after a meeting at the Brazilian Confederation's headquarters in Rio de Janeiro.

Last Thursday, a Supreme Court judge ordered Rodriguez (69 years old) to return to his position, while FIFA threatened to impose sanctions on Brazilian football, which has been mired in crises in recent months.

The Supreme Court overturned a ruling issued by a lower court that invalidated an agreement between the Brazilian Confederation and the Rio Public Prosecutor’s Office, dating back to March 2022, which subsequently allowed Rodriguez to be elected as head of the Confederation until 2026.

FIFA and the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) rejected external interference, and warned the Brazilian Federation that they would not recognize the interim president. They even threatened to exclude the national team from international competitions, and at the same time, they announced a visit to Brazil.

Garcia confirmed on Monday that there is a “real risk” of seeing clubs and national teams banned from participating in international competitions if Rodriguez does not regain his position.

“We are here to guarantee the independence of the Brazilian Football Confederation and respect for the laws. We will continue to work to respect Edinaldo's presidency elected by Brazilian football,” FIFA's legal official added.

For his part, Rodriguez, the first black president of the Brazilian Football Confederation, said that the Supreme Court's decision is “very important for Brazilian football.”

After returning to his position, Rodriguez dismissed the interim coach of the Brazilian national team, Fernando Diniz (46 years old), who was considered a victim of the poor results, while Sao Paulo announced on Sunday that its coach, Dorival Junior, would leave the club to take over the training of “samba dancers.”