Court orders removal of Brazil's FA president from office

A Rio de Janeiro court ordered the board of Brazil's Football Confederation (CBF) to be removed from their positions, including president Ednaldo Rodrigues, a decision showed on Thursday.

The case refers to an alleged forgery of the signature of former CBF president Antonio Carlos Nunes de Lima in an agreement with Rodrigues that resulted in the current board of directors taking office at the confederation.

In his decision, Judge Gabriel de Oliveira Zefiro also ordered CBF Vice President Fernando Jose Sarney to hold elections for the entity's executive positions, in his capacity as intervener, "as soon as possible".

Rodrigues had previously been removed in December 2023, following a ruling by the Rio de Janeiro Court of Justice, despite having been elected to lead the CBF until 2026.

However, a month later, Brazilian Justice Minister Gilmar Mendes ordered his reinstatement, citing the risk of the Brazil national team being barred by FIFA.

FIFA ruled out sanctions, as it does not accept government interference in football affairs, and bans nations from taking part in its competitions if they break these rules, and Rodrigues was then reinstated.

He was re-elected in March this year to lead the Brazilian FA until 2030.