Rival watchdog? Flamengo seek to block Vasco signings, cite “asymmetry” | OneFootball

Flamengo sent an official notice to the National Agency for the Regulation and Sustainability of Football (ANRESF) this Tuesday (18) to challenge Vasco’s financial and sporting moves. The red-and-black club questions the fact that Vasco’s board remains active in the transfer market and is seeking new support financing while conducting its Judicial Reorganization process. In the view of the rival board, the Cruz-Maltino side’s stance would create an alleged unfair competitive advantage in the fight against relegation in the Brazilian Championship.

In an official statement published this Tuesday, the Gávea club argued that making new investments in signings of significant value violates the rules of the Financial Sustainability System (SSF). The document argues that clubs that honor their commitments cannot be placed at a disadvantage compared to clubs seeking emergency funding, even raising the hypothetical concern that the championship could be shaken if a SAF were declared bankrupt in the middle of the competition.

According to the profile Podcast Cruzmaltino, however, the move lays bare an attempt to turn the regulatory sphere into an instrument of direct pressure on a rival. By trying to restrict São Januário’s ability to sign players, the neighboring club takes on the role of overseer of a corporate recovery process that is already under strict control by the Judiciary. Judicial reorganization exists to make it possible for institutions to continue operating and preserve their productive capacity, not to impose a competitive stranglehold that prevents the team from remaining active in the market.

+ Vasco plans new R$ 120 million loan to close out the year

Bap, Flamengo president, at the CBF attacking Vasco SAF – Photo: Raphael Zarko / ge

The backing of Law 11.101/2005 and Vasco’s rights

From a purely legal standpoint, Law 11.101/2005 does not require an institution undergoing reorganization to halt its activities. On the contrary: article 47 of the legislation expressly establishes the principle of preserving the company and its social function, while article 69-A authorizes the search for emergency financing aimed at sustaining the debtor entity’s operations, restructuring its liabilities, and safeguarding its sporting assets.

Naturally, this legal authorization does not represent an unrestricted blank check. The raising of funds, their final allocation, and the new contractual commitments undertaken by the football department must necessarily be subject to court approval, oversight by judicial administrators, and the general financial guidelines governing Brazilian football, provided they are applied equally to all participating clubs.

Reorganization is not a backstage sporting punishment

Vasco’s restructuring process is built on maintaining the team’s competitiveness on the pitch, which is its core activity. Trying to prevent the team from strengthening itself within the limits allowed by the competent authorities reflects unwarranted sporting protectionism, since sanctions or restrictions are not for table rivals to define.

The Vasco board remains legally calm and is moving forward with its transfer plans to meet coach Pedro Emanuel’s needs. It is exclusively up to the courts and oversight bodies to determine the legality of the club’s actions, ensuring that the club’s football operation remains fully viable on and off the pitch.

Pedrinho is Vasco’s president and has already criticized the rival several times for meddling where it is not invited – Photo: Reprodução

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