Palmeiras and São Paulo were not the only clubs from Libra that spoke out after the lawsuit filed by Flamengo that blocked the transfer of television funds to the clubs that are part of the group.
Atlético Mineiro and Santos also released official statements this Saturday (27) condemning the stance taken by the Rio de Janeiro club.
Besides Fla, Verdão, SPFC, Galo, and Peixe, Libra also includes Bahia, Grêmio, Red Bull Bragantino, Vitória, Remo, Paysandu, Volta Redonda, ABC, Guarani, Sampaio Corrêa, and Brusque.
The Blockade and the Contract with Globo
Flamengo’s lawsuit resulted in an injunction from the Rio court that prevented Globo from making a payment of R$ 77 million to the Libra clubs. This amount would be the second installment related to the 2025 Brazilian Championship broadcast contract. The first deposit, of R$ 76.6 million, was made in July.
The four-year agreement (2025 to 2029) with Globo, signed in March 2024, totals R$ 1.17 billion plus 40% of the net revenue from pay-per-view (Premiere) for broadcasting the games where Libra teams are the hosts.
Reason for Disagreement:
The point of conflict is the way the funds are distributed among the clubs:
- 40% equally divided among all first division members.
- 30% according to league standings.
- 30% based on audience.
Flamengo disagrees with the validity of the 30% portion linked to the audience, arguing that the statute is not sufficient to determine this payment. Libra states that the topic has already been thoroughly debated and the majority of members voted to maintain the current format.
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Official Statement from Galo
Atlético condemns the conduct of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, which obtained an injunction from the Rio de Janeiro Court of Justice to prevent the transfer of R$ 77 million to the Libra (Brazilian Football League) member clubs. The amount refers to one of the installments of the broadcast contract signed between the Libra clubs and TV Globo.
The sneaky and petty conduct of Flamengo’s current management undermines the trust established between the clubs and, consequently, weakens all Brazilian football.
The division of earnings from the audience is an internal matter and was established legally and participatively, within Libra, in compliance with its statutory rules.
Flamengo’s isolated action blatantly violates fair play and exacerbates the financial crisis common to many Brazilian clubs.
The clubs are united and will appeal the injunction decision to restore legality through the courts.
Official Statement from Peixe
Santos Futebol Clube publicly expresses its condemnation of the attitude of the current management of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, which, even after signing the agreement with the Brazilian Football League (Libra) and TV Globo, decided to go to court and, through an injunction, blocked the transfer of R$ 77 million related to broadcast rights.
Flamengo’s current management seems not to understand that it is responsible for fulfilling agreements made by past administrations. Moreover, it insists on ignoring that individualistic attitudes, from those who only look after their own interests, weaken the unity and spirit of loyalty that would strengthen all of us. Or does Flamengo believe it can play competitions without opponents?
The management of Santos Futebol Clube believes that Brazilian football will only grow and strengthen according to its potential when clubs understand that they need to work together. The intention to change the rules of the game with the championship underway, as Flamengo does, only reinforces the conviction that as long as this type of thinking and conduct exist, Brazilian football will remain in the background.
In light of this, we trust that the Rio de Janeiro court will understand what is truly behind this action and promptly restore the legality of the agreement made between the group and TV Globo.
Palmeiras’ position can be found here.
São Paulo’s position can be found here.
Flamengo itself “defended” itself on Friday. See here.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
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