Vasco on the radar? Leila Pereira ‘quits’ Palmeiras, eyes club buy | OneFootball

Palmeiras president is a supporter of corporate clubs (SAF)

Leila Pereira ruled out any possibility of seeking another election at Palmeiras after her presidential term ends in 2027 and admitted she wants to buy a corporate club. The executive justified her stance by saying she has no patience for electoral processes, stating that she would rather not have to ask for votes.

Leila Pereira’s statement comes two months after Vasco moved forward with the sale of its SAF to Marcos Faria Lamacchia, the executive’s stepson. The deal is valued at just over R$ 2 billion.

— I wouldn’t go to another club, no. For now, no. But in the future… I believe in corporate clubs. Maybe in the future I’ll own a club. Just imagine how great that is, not having to ask for votes. I don’t have that kind of patience anymore —, she said in an interview with Globonews’ POD_i podcast.

Asked about the purchase of Vasco, Leila Pereira brushed off the subject. On the other hand, she praised her family member. It is worth noting that the agreement with the Rio club involves the transfer of 90% of the football department’s assets.

— I have nothing to do with that. My stepson is negotiating with Vasco, yes. My stepson’s life is completely independent from his father’s. He doesn’t work with us. He is totally independent. He is an upright person. I don’t inspire only women, I inspire men as well. Any club that has my stepson as its owner will be a great deal. He is a Brazilian with assets in Brazil and the ability to rebuild any club. I think it’s a great deal. He is still in talks, and I’m not involved —, she said.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST?

It is worth noting that the relationship between Leila Pereira’s family and Vasco has been fueling debate in Brazilian football. Luiz Eduardo Baptista, Flamengo’s president, recently spoke bluntly about the issue, mentioning the possibility of ‘cross-ownership’ (when the same economic group or person controls two clubs in the same league) and pointing to a conflict of interest. That is because Crefisa, chaired by Leila, had previously granted a multimillion loan to the São Januário club using SAF shares as collateral.

— Let’s talk specifically about the case of Palmeiras and Vasco. All over the world, there are solutions that make it very clear that it is not possible to own two clubs. ‘Oh, but there is no cross-ownership there.’ Of course there is; national legislation is very clear about that —, he stated.

— I’d like to see which financial institution would lend you money and ask, as collateral for the money it is putting up, for the title to your debt. Who would do that? Only someone who wants to take over your house. Just look at the case of Crefisa’s loan to Vasco da Gama and what guarantee was requested —, concluded the Flamengo president.

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