Part 4/8:
The Political Landscape: A System of Patronage
Ednaldo’s strategy for retaining power has revolved around providing substantial financial benefits to federation presidents, effectively ensuring their loyalty and creating a political environment reminiscent of the years of Ricardo Teixeira’s reign. Reports indicate that payouts increased from R$ 50,000 to R$ 215,000, which raises serious questions about the ethical use of organizational funds.
The essence of CBF’s operation embodies a troubling blend of sporadic governance, political maneuvering, and blatant patronage, leaving the interests of the sport and its development on the back burner.