European paper debates Brazil’s fair play, cites Flamengo deals

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Coluna do Fla

·13 Agustus 2025

European paper debates Brazil’s fair play, cites Flamengo deals

Samuel Lino and Saúl arrived at Flamengo in this transfer window

Discussions about the implementation of financial fair play continue to take place in Brazil. Not surprisingly, last Monday (11), the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) held a meeting on the subject. In this sense, the Spanish newspaper 'AS' echoed the debate and cited some stars of Brazilian teams, such as Samuel Lino and Saúl, from Flamengo.

Thus, the Spanish newspaper compared the 'high indebtedness' of some Brazilian teams with the high investment made by Flamengo, Botafogo and Palmeiras. In addition, the news highlighted the big stars hired in recent years, such as Neymar, Marcelo, Thiago Silva, Vitor Roque, Memphis Depay, Saúl and Samuel Lino.

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This measure occurs at a time of 'double risk' for the Brasileirão market. The 2024 season broke financial records: the 20 largest clubs generated around € 1.72 billion in revenue. However, growth is accompanied by significant debt, reaching € 1.89 billion, a value close to the highest recorded during the pandemic. In addition to a general situation that points to poor long-term club management, the gap in investment in players is increasing. According to Transfermarkt, only two clubs spent more than € 20 million: Botafogo (€ 49 million) and Flamengo (€ 43 million). Only Palmeiras is behind them with € 18 million, and none of the other teams exceed € 9 million, with eleven of them not spending a single euro on signings, said the newspaper.

WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE CBF MEETING ON FINANCIAL FAIR PLAY?

From the Série A of the Brasileirão, Atlético-MG, Bahia, Botafogo, Ceará, Corinthians, Cruzeiro, Flamengo, Fluminense, Fortaleza, Grêmio, Internacional, Juventude, Mirassol, Palmeiras, Red Bull Bragantino, Santos, São Paulo, Vasco and Vitória attended the meeting.

In addition, from Série B, América-MG, Athletic, Athletico-PR, Avaí, Chapecoense, CRB, Ferroviária, Goiás, Novorizontino, Paysandu, Remo and Volta Redonda attended. Also, the federations of Alagoas, Amapá, Bahia, Goiás, Minas Gerais, Paraíba, Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina and Sergipe were also present.

WHAT IS FINANCIAL FAIR PLAY?

Financial fair play is a set of rules that control the finances of football clubs. The objective is for teams not to spend more than they collect, avoiding financial problems and debts. Flamengo is in favor of the model, as it has been responsible in its investments for some years.

WHAT IS FLAMENGO'S NEXT GAME?

Meanwhile, Flamengo remains focused on the next commitments of the season. This Wednesday (13), Filipe Luís' team faces Internacional, at 21:30 (Brasília time), at Maracanã, in the first leg of the Libertadores round of 16. Thus, as usual, Coluna do Fla will bring the best coverage on the internet, through YouTube, the website and social networks.

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