Textor on Coluna do Fla row involving Lamacchia, Leila Pereira and Vasco

In partnership with

Coluna do Fla

·20 September 2026

Textor on Coluna do Fla row involving Lamacchia, Leila Pereira and Vasco

Businessman rebuts Flamengo’s accusation of conflict of interest against Marcos Lamacchia, possible new owner of Vasco’s SAF

Flamengo’s president alleges a conflict of interest in the negotiation that could bring Marcos Lamacchia into Vasco da Gama’s Football Corporation (SAF). That is because the businessman is the son of José Roberto Lamacchia, owner of Crefisa and husband of Leila Pereira, president of Palmeiras. However, in a conversation with Coluna do Fla, John Textor considers the situation normal.

Look, I wasn’t even paying much attention to that. Vasco are a huge club and deserve a major investor. Leila has done an incredible job at Palmeiras. In football, it’s remarkable how, even after winning so many titles, one difficult year is enough for everyone to start criticizing. That’s football. I think her family would be a great option for Vasco, although I’m not following this negotiation that closely. Big clubs like Palmeiras and Flamengo have a very strong social structure, a lot of capital, and great youth academies. If that model worked for everyone in Brazil, there would be no need for SAFs to exist. But it doesn’t work for everyone. Vasco deserve a well-structured SAF and a much better partner than 777 was. I hope they get that because, at the end of the day, they are our rivals and our brothers: we want rivalry, but we want a fair, high-level contest. I’m rooting for Vasco to get back on track,” Textor told Rock Hudson of Coluna do Fla.

What is the controversy surrounding the sale of Vasco?

Talks for the sale of Vasco’s SAF are at an advanced stage. As a result, Lamacchia’s company, Almirante Participações, is acting as the stalking horse bidder, meaning it is proposing the minimum baseline in a court-supervised sale process.

OneFootball Videos

However, the deal is being questioned by Flamengo and by sectors within Palmeiras itself. That is because there is a family connection between Marcos, Leila Pereira, and José Roberto Lamacchia. The operation has the approval of José Roberto Lamacchia.

The businessman, owner of Crefisa, has already lent R$ 82 million to Vasco. Even so, Marcos Lamacchia has kept a low profile, though an active one, in the negotiations. “I’m waiting for the courts to authorize the auction so that we can transform Vasco,” the businessman said.

What is Textor’s current situation at Botafogo?

John Textor is no longer in charge of Botafogo’s SAF. He stepped away from day-to-day management in April 2026, by decision of the FGV Arbitration Tribunal. In July of the same year, he was removed from the Board of Directors.

The case stemmed from corporate disputes with Eagle Football Holdings (USA). In addition, the tribunal also considered that Textor’s actions could cause irreparable harm to shareholders.

How does Flamengo’s management model enter the debate?

By citing Palmeiras and Flamengo as examples, Textor reinforces a recurring debate in Brazilian football. Both clubs maintain an association-based model, with a strong social department and well-structured youth academies.

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