Flamengo stand alone as Rio rivals back gradual cap on foreign players | OneFootball

Flamengo stand alone among Rio clubs in opposing the Brazilian federation’s plan to phase in a cap on foreign players.

According to Coluna Do Fla, the CBF decided on Monday 21 that the Brasileirão will introduce a gradual limit in coming seasons, with Botafogo, Vasco and Fluminense voting in favour and Flamengo against.

Botafogo have 12 foreign players, Flamengo and Vasco 10 each, and Fluminense nine, a combined 41 across the four Rio squads.

Flamengo’s sporting director José Boto said the change will not help Brazilian football. He argued it weakens the league because talent will still leave for Europe and clubs will struggle to retain value.

He added that teams would end up fielding lower-value players, reducing the overall quality of the competition.

Flamengo returned to training on Tuesday 22 after Sunday’s Brasileirão win over Bragantino.

Coach Leonardo Jardim drafted academy player Daniel Sales to cover Varela, who is on Uruguay duty during this FIFA window. Sales has another chance to impress and push for a place with the senior squad.

Source: Coluna Do Fla

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