Leila v Bap: presidents' duel stirs up Palmeiras and Flamengo 🔥 | OneFootball

The clash between Palmeiras and Flamengo promises to be lively not only on the field but also off it. The backstage of both clubs continues to heat up following recent feuds between Leila Pereira, president of Verdão, and Luiz Eduardo Baptista, known as Bap, president of Rubro-Negro, involving the Libra (Brazilian Football League).

The teams will take the field this Sunday at 4 PM (Brasília time) at Maracanã, in an early final in the battle for the Brazilian Championship title. Gazeta Esportiva decided to recall the duel between Leila and Bap off the pitch.

Non-signature against racism

The tension between the boards began in March of this year. The Libra clubs sent a manifesto, led by Palmeiras, to Conmebol condemning cases of racism in South American competitions. Among the group members, only Flamengo did not sign the note.

At the time, the club stated that institutional relations with Conmebol should be conducted by the CBF and not by the clubs, which is why they did not sign the manifesto. Rubro-Negro reaffirmed its commitment to combating racism.

TV rights

A new chapter involving Flamengo and Libra occurred at the end of last month. The Rio de Janeiro board obtained an injunction in the Rio de Janeiro Court of Justice (TJ-RJ) that blocked the transfer of R$ 77 million from a portion of the Brazilian Championship broadcast rights.

The R$ 77 million amount blocked by Flamengo would be distributed among the other Libra clubs, consisting of 12 teams besides Palmeiras: ABC, Atlético-MG, Bahia, Bragantino, Grêmio, Guarani, Paysandu, Remo, Vitória, Sampaio Corrêa, Santos, and São Paulo.

Palmeiras quickly opposed the decision of the Flamengo leadership. The club described the Rubro-Negro management's stance as “arrogant and harmful” and recalled Flamengo's decision not to sign the manifesto against racism.

“The arrogant and harmful stance of the current Flamengo management, unfortunately, is not surprising. It is the same political group that, at the beginning of the year, refused to sign the Libra manifesto demanding measures to combat racism on South American pitches,” criticized Palmeiras in an official statement.

“Flamengo has to play alone”

Three days after Palmeiras' statement repudiating Flamengo's action, Leila Pereira made harsh criticisms of the rival board and suggested creating a league without the Gávea team.

“My suggestion would be to create another league excluding Flamengo. I think Flamengo has to play alone. No club is bigger than Brazilian football. Palmeiras doesn't play alone, Flamengo doesn't play alone. Only if they [Flamengo] want to play against their under-20 team, you know?” she stated.

“So, I think it would be nice for us to form a new league excluding Flamengo, and Flamengo plays with itself. I want to see the audience they will have. I find it very difficult for managers with this mentality. This does not enhance Brazilian football in any way,” Leila Pereira concluded.

Subsequently, the Palmeiras board took legal action against the rival due to the injunction.

Bap provokes Leila

On the 7th, Flamengo presented its version of the fight with Libra, and Bap took the opportunity to provoke Leila Pereira and question the loan from Crefisa to Vasco.

“I have no doubt that there is a very clear agenda. We are talking about this Libra problem, and the company she presides lent money to Vasco's SAF. Who here has ever borrowed money from a financial institution in life? Does any bank ask for shares of the business that is not doing well or real estate as a guarantee? Your house, your boat, your apartment. Who asks for SAF shares if it cannot be paid?” said the president.

Leila responded to Bap's statement and denied that she was buying Vasco. The Verdão leader also recalled a statement from the Flamengo president in 2014 when he was still heading the company Sky. At the time, he claimed he could buy the Netflix, the American streaming platform.

“Regarding President Bap's insinuation about the rumor that I am buying Vasco, he can rest assured. I am not buying Vasco. In fact, I am not buying either Vasco or Netflix,” Leila Pereira joked.

To calm the spirits…

The president of Palmeiras chose not to travel to Rio de Janeiro to watch the match. The leader will watch the game on television, understanding that there is no atmosphere due to the issues with Bap.

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