Boto opposes plan to cut foreign-player slots, says it will weaken Brasileirão | OneFootball

Flamengo football director José Boto has criticised the approved plan to reduce the number of foreign players eligible on matchdays from 2027, arguing it will weaken the Campeonato Brasileiro.

"I do not think this measure will help Brazilian football. On the contrary, it will make the league weaker. Players will keep leaving for Europe very young, clubs without the means to retain them will field lesser quality players, and that will lower the level of the Brazilian league," he told Coluna do Fla.

Clubs can currently list up to nine foreigners per match. The CBF-approved change will start with eight in 2027 and fall to five by 2030, with a phased approach to reflect existing contracts. Bahia and Flamengo voted against.

Boto also highlighted the domestic 12-game rule, which blocks players from switching clubs after 12 league outings, and is set to be discussed at the next clubs meeting with the CBF.

"I think the measure that would make sense is to remove the games cap on transfers between Brazilian clubs, because it does not exist elsewhere in the world and it pushes money out of the Brazilian football ecosystem."

Separately, clubs approved new registration quotas to foster youth development. From next year, squads may register 50 players for the Brasileirão, at least 20 of them aged up to 23. By 2030, the split is set to be 25 of any age and 25 under 23.

Source: Globo.com

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