Vasco president hits back at BAP, slams Textor: “Learn respect”

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Papo na Colina

·7 April 2026

Vasco president hits back at BAP, slams Textor: “Learn respect”

Vasco president Pedrinho did not hold back in expressing his dissatisfaction with the leaders of rival clubs this Monday (06). After taking part in an important meeting at the CBF that discussed the creation of a single league in Brazilian football, the Cruz-Maltino executive gave a strong interview in which he openly criticized BAP, president of Flamengo, and John Textor, owner of Botafogo’s SAF. The Vasco president demanded respect for the institution and assured that there is neither the structure nor the sense of partnership among clubs needed to make a unified league viable.

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The clash with BAP and the defense of Vasco’s squad

The main target of his outrage was the Flamengo president. Pedrinho described BAP as “arrogant and overbearing” and revealed that the rival suggested that the loan taken by Vasco from Crefisa in November 2025 was related to Vasco’s 3-0 defeat to Palmeiras (at a time when the São Paulo side was directly competing with Flamengo for the title). The statement infuriated the president, who stood up for his group of players and the coach at the time, Fernando Diniz.

Pedrinho explained that the financial operation happened simply because the CDI offered was more advantageous, and he forcefully pushed back against the insinuation:

“He is calling into question my character, the character of my coach, and the character of a squad of 30 players. So am I supposed to go to my coach and say we have to lose? Is my coach supposed to be a son of a bitch and tell the players, who supposedly have no character, that we have to lose because I took out a loan from a company that makes a living from loans? So how can I believe a league will work under the control of people who run a club like this?”

Criticism of John Textor and the Vasco SAF situation

His dissatisfaction also extended to John Textor. The American businessman had recently mentioned the legal dispute that removed 777 Partners from control of the Giant of the Hill. Pedrinho described the remarks as “bluster” and warned that the investor’s actions are causing enormous harm to Botafogo and could drive the rival club into bankruptcy. He even offered solidarity and help to João Paulo, president of the club’s social association, if the worst happens, but he also sent a clear warning to the American:

“If Botafogo ends up in bankruptcy proceedings and João Paulo needs help, I am available to contribute however I can. His position (Textor’s) is one of bluster, of executives who for a long time have been part of football just to please the fans, and that is not part of my character. He will not keep playing with Vasco da Gama’s name the way he has been. That is why I do not believe in the league; we do not have the sense of partnership.”.

The executive also took the opportunity to defend the aggressive legal action he had to take to protect Vasco SAF. Pedrinho explained that he was forced to remove the former partner because of “various legal crimes and nonpayment,” while enduring heavy criticism from people who were unaware of the contract’s confidentiality clauses.

Currently, backed by judicial reorganization, the club has been strictly honoring its debts. Asked about rumors involving investor Marcos Lamacchia and a possible conflict of interest with Leila Pereira in the purchase of Vasco SAF, Pedrinho was cautious, saying he would wait until the facts are clearer before commenting, but stressed that financial fair play rules must be strictly followed by everyone.

“I’m not going to talk about the investor yet. I’ll wait until things are closer before speaking about the investor. In my view… I can’t talk about the investor and go deeply into it. Whatever is in the contract, within the clauses, within financial fair play, must be complied with. But I’m wary of speaking.”

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