Back to square one: ‘new opposition’ backs ex-CBF chief for year-end poll | OneFootball

It seemed like a done deal. But we are talking about São Paulo and its internal politics, disastrous for most supporters.

As revealed by Tricolor na Web, a coalition formed by new opposition members within the club — basically groups that were part of Julio Casares’ support base and jumped ship along with Harry Massis — have once again rallied around the name of Rogério Caboclo, former president of the CBF, as a candidate in the year-end presidential election.

In May, Vinícius Pinotti, former football director and a major name behind the scenes, caused surprise by unofficially announcing Caboclo’s name as a candidate in the race, sparking outrage from the old-guard opposition wing, so to speak, led by figures such as Daurio Speranzini, Flávio Marques and Caio Forjaz.

The group fought back, moved to deny the information, and even floated the name of Marcelinho Portugal Gouvêa, son of the historic former president from the 2005 three-time world champion era, as the favorite to represent the opposition in the election.

Time passed, the issue lost steam in the news amid the changes in football, and now, in a scenario of internal alliances being stitched together after Olten Ayres de Abreu’s stay as president of the Deliberative Council was sealed (with support from the opposition), Caboclo’s name is once again gaining prominence.

According to what AVANTE MEU TRICOLOR has learned, the former head of Brazilian football, son of a notable figure in São Paulo’s history, has been gaining important allies. The most important of them is former president José Eduardo Mesquita Pimenta, the most emblematic name on the Advisory Council, a body of notable figures made up of former presidents and cardinals.

Pimenta is organizing a lunch this Wednesday afternoon (1) at which cardinals and key figures from the Council will be present. And where Caboclo will speak as a candidate.

Among the “mortals,” besides Olten and Pinotti, Caboclo is close to securing support considered crucial to becoming the favorite to win the election: that of the Legião Tricolor slate, led by former football director Carlos Belmonte, which has the largest number of elected councilors.

Vinícius Medeiros, the group’s new boss, has been promised the role of Caboclo’s running mate in the election. A mere formality, since he had been aligned with Pinotti for some time.

The “root opposition” has already said internally that it is against Caboclo’s name. And it is not ruled out that São Paulo’s elections at the end of the year could have three candidates, since the group’s idea — damaged with the fans after the vote that saved Olten — is to field its own candidate.

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