CNRD orders Vasco to pay Atlético R$4.5m for Paulo Henrique debt | OneFootball

The National Chamber for Dispute Resolution (CNRD), a body linked to the CBF responsible for arbitrating conflicts in Brazilian football, issued a decision unfavorable to Vasco da Gama this Monday (9th). The entity determined that the Rio club must pay around R$ 4.5 million to Atlético, referring to outstanding financial obligations in the purchase operation of right-back Paulo Henrique. The ruling, initially published in secrecy, was confirmed by ESPN and details the principal amount of R$ 4,212,272.45, plus R$ 208,113.62 in legal fees.

The dispute had been dragging on since last year, when Vasco exercised the option to purchase the player after his loan period but failed to comply with the established payment schedule. The total operation was around 1 million dollars at the exchange rate at the time, involving 70% of the player's economic rights, with shares also allocated to Paraná Clube and Juventude.

+ Paulo Henrique receives inquiries from clubs in Brazil and abroad; Vasco makes a decision

The Legal Imbroglio: CNRD vs. Judicial Recovery

The central point of the current dispute is not the acknowledgment of the debt — Vasco admits the debt to the body — but rather how it will be settled. Atlético is working behind the scenes for the payment to be made within the scope of the CNRD, which would imply sporting sanctions (such as a transfer ban) if Vasco does not pay, forcing a quicker settlement. The Minas Gerais club is trying at all costs to prevent this amount from being included in the list of creditors of Vasco’s SAF Judicial Recovery (RJ).

On the other hand, Vasco’s legal department maintains that the debt should follow the legal procedures of the RJ. In an official statement, the club said that “all amounts are subject to the terms of Vasco’s payment plan(s) with the CNRD, as provided for in the judicial recovery plan approved by creditors and ratified by the judiciary.” This legal tug-of-war will determine whether the club will have to pay immediately or if it can stretch the debt according to the restructuring plan.

Paulo Henrique is one of Vasco’s pillars – Photo: André Durão / ge

Origin of the Debt and Asset Appreciation

The signing of Paulo Henrique has proven, technically, to be a huge success, which makes the financial dispute even more relevant. The right-back arrived at Atlético in 2023, played few matches, and was loaned to Vasco, where he found his form. At the beginning of 2024, the Cruz-Maltino opted for the permanent transfer, agreeing to pay around R$ 4.8 million (at the time).

The non-payment led to the action at the CNRD. Today, Paulo Henrique is one of the most valuable assets in the squad. An undisputed starter under Fernando Diniz (although he is currently recovering from a foot injury), the player reached the status of Brazilian National Team under the command of Carlo Ancelotti and is tipped to play in the 2026 World Cup. The sporting appreciation of the athlete contrasts with the financial liability that now demands its price in the CBF courts.

PH reached the Brazilian National Team – Photo: Fábio Pinto

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