SAFERJ backs ban on foreign players in youth, Série C and D, Flamengo face double hit | OneFootball

Brazil’s clubs have accepted a CBF plan to cut the number of foreign players listed per Brasileirão match, but SAFERJ now wants a ban on foreign footballers in youth teams and in Série C and Série D, a move that could hit Flamengo twice. According to Coluna Do Fla, the proposal would directly affect the Rio side’s under-20 group.

Flamengo have two under-20 players in focus, Juan Sayago and Diego Reyes Costilla. Sayago, 19, is an Argentine midfielder on loan from River Plate until the end of the year and has 33 appearances this season, the most for Flamengo’s under-20s. Reyes, 19, is a Mexican forward on loan from América until year-end and is not a guaranteed starter.

Clubs in Série A and Série B have already approved a gradual reduction, from 9 in 2026 to 8 in 2027, 7 in 2028, 6 in 2029 and 5 in 2030. Flamengo were one of three votes against, alongside Bahia and Londrina. Botafogo, Vasco and Fluminense backed the change despite carrying more foreign players than Flamengo.

Flamengo’s senior squad currently includes 10 foreign players, so the new cap could disadvantage them from next year. The group features Arrascaeta, Rossi, Varela, Plata, De La Cruz, Carrascal, Saúl, Erick Pulgar, Joaquín Freitas and Anthony Valencia.

The domestic calendar is paused until 6 October due to the FIFA window. Flamengo’s next match is at Santos at Vila Belmiro on 8 October at 19:30 Brasília time in round 29 of the Brasileirão. The coaching staff are using the break to balance rest, recovery and tests with the available squad at Ninho do Urubu.

Source: Coluna Do Fla

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