Vasco targeted by Bap in move with Botafogo to block SAF | OneFootball

The process of definitively restructuring Vasco SAF continues to keep the Flamengo hierarchy up at night. According to reporting by columnist Cosme Rímoli, from the R7 portal, Rubro-Negro president Luiz Eduardo Baptista, known as Bap, is taking advantage of an unexpected diplomatic rapprochement with the Botafogo board to forge a political alliance aimed at blocking the sale of Vasco's football operations to businessman Marcos Faria Lamacchia.

The union between the two rivals began after Dynamo Moscow, from Russia, rejected the signings of Ecuadorian Gonzalo Plata and Matheus Martins, alleging vague supposed medical problems. Outraged by the devaluation of their assets on the international market, the two Rio clubs decided to coordinate jointly to file a complaint with Fifa against the Russian club based on medical reports certifying the full physical condition of their players.

+ “If Vasco gets strong, we're f****d”: journalist reveals why Bap is desperate behind the scenes

Release of Cebolinha and political bargaining chip

This bridge built in the courts of Europe opened space for immediate deals in the domestic market, involving forward Everton Cebolinha. Out of coach Leonardo Jardim's plans and with his contract ending at the close of the season, the 30-year-old player had been pursued by Corinthians and Fluminense, but the high wages of R$ 1.3 million per month and Flamengo's demand for financial compensation stalled the talks.

However, the Flamengo board adopted a completely different stance regarding General Severiano and authorized the winger's move to the black-and-white rival at zero cost. The release without any charge is seen behind the scenes as a clear gesture from Bap to Botafogo president João Paulo Magalhães to strengthen political ties in Rio de Janeiro and try to isolate Vasco.

The desperation over the R$ 2 billion investment in Vasco

The quid pro quo sought by the Gávea leadership with this gesture toward Glorioso is to secure the rival's institutional support to fight the approval of the purchase of 90% of the football shares, valued at an impressive R$ 2 billion. The Rubro-Negro president openly fears that Marcos Lamacchia's family ties to Palmeiras president Leila Pereira could create an untouchable power bloc in Brazilian football, and he insists on the conflict-of-interest argument in an attempt to block the deal.

So far, Botafogo's board prefers to take a neutral stance and keep its distance from the dispute. Meanwhile, Vasco president Pedrinho continues shielding the proceedings of the judicial sale process and ignoring the desperate maneuvering of opponents trying to prevent Vasco's definitive financial strengthening.

Marcos Lamacchia is the investor who wants to buy Vasco SAF, chaired by Pedrinho – Photo: Reproduction

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