Botafogo, Vasco and Fluminense split in vote on foreign-player cut | OneFootball

Rio trio has more foreign players than Flamengo, but supported the measure approved by the CBF

The vote at the CBF on the gradual reduction of foreign players in the Brasileirão exposed a contradiction among Rio clubs. Botafogo, Vasco, and Fluminense voted in favor of the measure, even though their squads include more foreign players than Flamengo’s. However, Flamengo was the only representative from Rio de Janeiro to vote against the decision.

HOW MANY FOREIGN PLAYERS DO THE RIO CLUBS HAVE?

Botafogo leads the number of foreigners among Rio teams, with 12 foreign players in its squad. Next come Flamengo and Vasco, both with ten players in the same situation. Fluminense, meanwhile, has nine foreign players under contract. Thus, the four Rio clubs have a combined total of 41 foreign players.

HOW DID THE RIO CLUBS VOTE ON THE REDUCTION OF FOREIGN PLAYERS?

Even with this high number of foreigners, Botafogo, Vasco, and Fluminense supported the gradual reduction approved by the CBF. In this way, the Rio trio directly contributed to the approval of a rule that, in the future, will also limit their own squads. Flamengo, on the other hand, rejected the proposal at the assembly with the other Série A and Série B clubs.

WHICH OTHER CLUBS VOTED AGAINST THE REDUCTION?

Besides Flamengo, only Bahia and Londrina were against the reduction of foreign players. Therefore, the Rubro-Negro was part of a group of only three clubs opposed to the change in the entire country. Even so, its isolated position among the Rio clubs reinforces the contrast with Botafogo, Vasco, and Fluminense.

WHAT DOES THIS CONTRADICTION REVEAL?

The decision by Botafogo, Vasco, and Fluminense draws attention precisely because of the size of their own foreign contingents. After all, the three clubs had already built strong international squads before the approval of the new rule. However, by voting for the reduction, the trio makes it harder for other teams to build similar squads in the coming years.

The rule approved by the CBF reduces the number of foreign players available for each match, not the total number of contracts in the squad. Thus, Botafogo, Vasco, and Fluminense preserve much of the advantage they have already built, while smaller clubs lose the chance to follow the same path in the future. In any case, the vote by the Rio clubs reinforces the perception that the change favors those already established under the new model.

Even so, Flamengo chose a different path by voting against the reduction. However, according to public statements by officials linked to the Rubro-Negro on the subject, the club’s decision has more to do with defending an open market than with preserving a privilege it had already secured.

WHAT DID JOSÉ BOTO TELL COLUNA DO FLA ABOUT THE ISSUE?

— As a foreigner working in Brazil, but who has also worked in other leagues, I’ll give my opinion, although I obviously respect those who carried out these studies. It does not seem to me that this measure will help Brazilian football; on the contrary, it will make the league weaker, because players will continue to leave — said Boto.

— The best players will continue to leave for Europe at a very young age, and with clubs not having the possibility to retain these valuable players, they will have to play with lower-quality players, and that will reduce the quality of the Brazilian league — added the Portuguese executive.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.