“My son and I will rebuild Vasco”, vows José Lamacchia after SAF row

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·25 de junio de 2026

“My son and I will rebuild Vasco”, vows José Lamacchia after SAF row

Behind the scenes at Vasco da Gama, a new explosive chapter has unfolded after Pedrinho was removed from the board of directors of Vasco SAF. In an exclusive interview with journalist Lucas Pedrosa of Canal do Pedrosa, businessman José Lamacchia, owner of Crefisa and guarantor for his son Marcos Faria Lamacchia in the deal, lashed out at the club’s political wing. The investor accused opponents of acting out of vanity and pushing the institution toward financial collapse.

The businessman assured that the project for the transfer of 90% of the football shares is still alive and explained the extent of his financial involvement in supporting his heir in the purchase of Vasco:

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“All of my assets, because he is my son, he is my heir.”

+ “My hands are tied,” Pedrinho laments after court ruling in Vasco SAF case

Criticism of internal politics and risk of Vasco’s bankruptcy

José Lamacchia warned about the damage caused by the court battle and blasted the legal moves orchestrated by former allies of the suspended president. According to the billionaire, the political group now trying to halt the deal is the same one that allowed the former controllers of the American company 777 Partners to come in.

The businessman detailed the conflict behind the scenes and pointed to the club’s lack of resources to meet immediate basic obligations:

“It hurts a lot. The problem is that this is a political fight and, in an irresponsible way, they are going to bankrupt Vasco. Vasco is bankrupt and they are getting in the way. We are the ones who want to put money in there. The people involved are going to drive Vasco into bankruptcy. Political people. Because they want power. Felipe Carregal, who was Pedrinho’s ally and then left him to join Paulo Salomão. My son is ready to put money in there. Vasco doesn’t have money to pay the payroll. In reality, what they want is for us to put in 2.5 billion, and they want to be in charge.”

Details of the sporting project and new training center

José Lamacchia reaffirmed that the plan drawn up with his son envisions a complete structural transformation of the club’s football department, including building competitive squads and modernizing the training center. The expectation of the new management was to announce a positive conclusion to the purchase of Vasco in the first half of next month.

The investor detailed the planning that was already underway with renowned professionals before the court-ordered freeze:

“We are going to put money in so Vasco can compete in every championship in Brazil. Every one! We are going to put in money and rebuild. My son is going to buy it, and I will defend him to the end because any father would defend his son. And we know how to do it! He was very excited. How do they have the nerve to ruin a beautiful project that Marcos is going to carry out? The training center Vasco is going to build will be the most modern in South America. We are going to make it happen. The architect from Red Bull Bragantino had already been hired, we saw the project. What amazes me is how people use the judiciary to harm a club with 20 million people? I was shocked. We were already going to announce it in July, the party at Lagoa was being organized.”

José Roberto Lamacchia is married to Leila Pereira, president of Palmeiras (Photo: Cesar Greco/Palmeiras)

Leila Pereira kept out and accusations over positions

José Lamacchia made a point of shutting down any rumors of political involvement by Leila Pereira, president of Palmeiras, in the talks with the Rio club. While reaffirming his pact of loyalty with the elected head of São Januário, the businessman accused removed former directors of asking for positions and trying to alter contractual clauses in the sale of Vasco SAF.

The owner of Crefisa rejected any backtracking in the deal and lashed out at the requests for advantages made behind the political scenes:

“Leila is completely out of any Vasco matter. My son and I are the ones doing this. I’m opening my heart. We were already ready. We were going to put in R$ 500 million, take on the cash flow estimated at more than 1 billion, settle with the creditors, training center, everything! We are not going to give up. We have a commitment to Pedrinho, who works for Vasco, likes Vasco and is honest. I am 83 years old, I have never harmed anyone in my life. Look into my life… That’s why I am appalled by what they did. I am not giving up, my son and I are going to save Vasco. We are ready to build a top-tier team there. Now let them sort it out. The payroll, who is going to pay it? Vasco doesn’t have a single cent to put in.”

The businessman defended Alan Belanciano and Christiano Campos against speculation and focused his criticism on former directors Felipe Carregal and Silvio Roberto. At the end of his account, the investor guaranteed unrestricted support for the club’s elected president and warned that the fans need to demand accountability from those blocking the investments.

The partnership with the club’s leader was sealed with a forceful statement about his staying in the fight:

“Total confidence in Pedrinho. He approached us to buy Vasco. The fans need to put pressure on them to let money come in. Where are they? They are irresponsible! Using the judiciary to harm Vasco is absurd. They will deny it, but they don’t have the courage to show their faces, to expose themselves. Now that I have entered this fight, I won’t leave it except dead. 200% with Pedrinho.”

E A LEILA PEREIRA? ELA TEM ALGUMA INTERFERÊNCIA? "Leila está totalmente fora de qualquer assunto de Vasco. Quem está fazendo isso é meu filho e eu. Estou abrindo meu coração. Já estávamos prontos. Iríamos colocar R$ 500 milhões, assumir o fluxo de caixa estimado em mais de 1
– jueves, 25 de junio de 2026