Ancelotti – Brazil deal in jeopardy as CBF president faces possible removal over fraud case | OneFootball

Just as Brazil’s pursuit of Carlo Ancelotti seemed back on track, new legal trouble may derail everything once again.

Indeed, according to AS, Ednaldo Rodrigues, president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), could be ousted in the coming days as the Supreme Federal Court (STF) reopens a 2023 fraud investigation against him.

Rodrigues is accused of manipulating CBF’s electoral rules and returning to power under questionable circumstances.

The STF has found evidence suggesting the document that cleared him of wrongdoing – and reinstated him three months ago – was fraudulent.

The case hinges on a new forensic report by handwriting expert Jacqueline Tirotti which points to falsified signatures, particularly that of former vice president Antonio Carlos Nunes de Lima.

Ednaldo Rodrigues could be ousted from the CBF presidency. (Photo by Lucas Figueiredo/Getty Images)

This legal twist could once more stall Brazil’s plan to appoint Carlo Ancelotti as national team coach.

If Rodrigues is removed, no new coaching contract, including Ancelotti’s, can be finalised until a new CBF president is in place. This would likely require new elections, potentially after Brazil’s matches against Ecuador and Paraguay next month.

Brazil have been pursuing Ancelotti ever since they were eliminated from the FIFA World Cup 2022, resulting in Tite’s removal. Having made overtures to hire him in 2023, the Selecao gave up and brought in Dorival Junior as manager.

A couple of months ago, though, Dorival was relieved of his duties and the CBF returned for Ancelotti again.

Despite a recent setback, everything appeared to be on track for the Real Madrid boss to leave the club and take over the reins of the Brazilian national team. But this latest development concering Rodrigues could jeopardise the move.