Atlético-GO chief backs CBF foreign player cap but says Flamengo are right to complain | OneFootball

Atlético-GO president Adson Batista has welcomed the CBF’s decision to cut the number of foreign players, while arguing Flamengo are justified in objecting.

According to Coluna Do Fla, Batista said the policy protects opportunities for Brazilian players. He accepted standards could dip a little in the short term, but believes Brazilian football will benefit over the medium and long term. He noted emerging clubs cannot spend as Flamengo do, yet he still views the change positively.

Flamengo football director José Boto opposes the measure. He does not believe it will help the domestic game and argues it will weaken the league because talent will continue to leave. In his view, the best youngsters will still move to Europe, forcing clubs to rely on lesser options and lowering overall quality.

From 2027 each team may register up to eight foreign players, falling to seven in 2028, six in 2029 and five in 2030.

Flamengo, Bahia and Londrina voted against the change, while the remaining clubs across the main divisions backed it.

Flamengo currently have 10 foreign players in the professional squad: Arrascaeta, Varela, De La Cruz, Erick Pulgar, Rossi, Saúl Ñíguez, Plata, Carrascal, Anthony Valencia and Joaquín Freitas. Arrascaeta, Guillermo Varela and Erick Pulgar may begin naturalisation processes, as they have at least four years of continuous residence.

Source: Coluna Do Fla

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”