Leila Pereira rules out Palmeiras re-election, ‘may buy’ a club in future | OneFootball

Leila Pereira has ruled out seeking re-election as Palmeiras president when her term ends in 2027, saying she would rather pursue ownership of a club company than keep asking for votes.

Her comments come two months after Vasco moved towards selling control of its SAF to her stepson, Marcos Faria Lamacchia, in a deal valued at just over R$ two billion for 90% of the football department’s assets.

"I would not go to another club for now, but in the future I believe in club companies and it may be that I own one. Not having to ask for votes would be a spectacle, I no longer have that patience," she told the POD_i podcast on Globonews.

Asked about a potential purchase of Vasco, she distanced herself from the talks and praised Lamacchia. "I have nothing to do with that. My stepson is negotiating with Vasco, he is totally independent and a correct person. Any club with him as owner would be a great deal, he is still in talks and I do not get involved."

The family’s links to Vasco have prompted debate in Brazil. Flamengo president Luiz Eduardo Baptista has warned of cross-ownership and conflicts of interest, noting that Crefisa, led by Pereira, previously lent the club a large sum using SAF shares as collateral. "It is very clear you cannot be owner of two clubs. Just look at the Crefisa loan to Vasco and the guarantee requested," he said.

Source: Coluna Do Fla