Backed by the big four, Rubens Lopes re-elected FERJ president | OneFootball

Rubens Lopes was re-elected president of the Rio de Janeiro State Football Federation (Ferj) and will remain in charge of the organization for another term. A trained physician and former president of Bangu, the executive has held the position since 2007, when he took over after the death of Eduardo Viana, known as Caixa D’Água, who led the federation for 22 years.

With his re-election, Rubens Lopes is closing in on his predecessor’s historic mark and could become the longest-serving executive at the head of Ferj.

During his speech after the election, the president highlighted the need for unity among those involved in football in Rio de Janeiro to strengthen the sport in the state.

— We hope this effort will happen not from one side to the other, but together. It is not a promise, but a commitment that we will build a better world for football in Rio de Janeiro with everyone’s collaboration. As that athlete everyone knows says, football in Rio is on another level. It goes far beyond the pitch; the Rio federation is not just football — he said.

Rubens also emphasized the broad support he received during the election process.

— There are 120 institutions that make up the electoral college of this assembly. Of those, 119 formally expressed their support. One did not do so for some reason, but expressed it verbally and came in person to vote in favor — he stated.

Representatives of Rio de Janeiro’s four biggest clubs were present at the election. Fluminense was represented by president Mattheus Montenegro and administrative coordinator Marcelo Penha. Botafogo was represented by João Paulo Magalhães, while Flamengo and Vasco sent executives to follow the vote.

Known as “Rubinho” behind the scenes of Rio football, the executive received support from the state’s main clubs, as well as municipal leagues and teams from the lower divisions, consolidating his stay at the head of the organization that runs football in Rio de Janeiro.

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