Who is Ademar Arrais: opposition leader criticising Fluminense SAF | OneFootball

Under the slogan "Fluminense is in a Hurry," the opposition unites the lawyer who implemented direct voting and an elite executive from the oil sector to face the situation on November 29. The election takes place under the shadow of mourning for Celso Barros and questions about the future sale of the club.

The final stretch for the presidential elections of the Fluminense Football Club, scheduled for the upcoming November 29, is shaping up to be one of the most important moments in the centennial history of the institution. At stake in the Laranjeiras polls, besides the presidential seat for the 2026-2028 term, is the ownership model of the tricolor football.

In this polarized scenario, Chapa 30, named "Fluminense is in a Hurry," emerges as the main force of opposition to the current administration of Mário Bittencourt. Led by lawyer Ademar Arrais and with executive Adyr Tourinho as vice-president, the candidacy positions itself against what it describes as a lack of transparency and ethical conflicts in the constitution of the Football Anonymous Society (SAF).

The central point of Chapa 30's campaign is a direct offensive against the structure of the football sale designed by the current management. At the launch event in the Salão Nobre of Laranjeiras, Ademar Arrais did not hold back criticism of the possibility, rumored behind the scenes, that current president Mário Bittencourt might take a paid position (CEO) in the future company.

For the opposition, the negotiation, advised by BTG Pactual bank, lacks a due diligence that correctly prices intangible assets, such as the Fluminense brand, and tangible ones, like the jewel that is the Xerém base. Arrais questions whether the bank acts institutionally or politically, demanding that the club knows its "real value" before any signing.

Who are the candidates of Chapa 30?

The composition of the slate seeks to balance knowledge of the club's internal workings with global corporate experience.

Ademar Arrais (President):

A lawyer with a solid career in private law and leader of the Arrais Advogados office, Ademar is no newcomer to tricolor politics. Former Vice-President of Strategic Planning under Peter Siemsen's management, he carries the political legacy of the statutory reform that instituted direct voting in the club. Ironically, the system he helped create is the same one he now tries to use to unseat the current administration, promising, if elected, to further modernize the process with the immediate implementation of online voting, a long-standing demand of the off-Rio fan base.

Adyr Tourinho (Vice-President):

While Arrais brings legal expertise, Adyr Tourinho brings the weight of multinational management. A career executive in the Oil and Gas industry, Tourinho presided over ABESPetro (Brazilian Association of Oil Services Companies) from 2019 to 2021. His career includes leadership positions in giants like Transocean and Halliburton. Tourinho's presence signals to the market an intention to professionalize the club's management with rigorous corporate governance and compliance standards, typical of publicly traded companies.

The Political Scenario

The 2025 election gained new weight after the death of Celso Barros, former president of Unimed and a historic name of the club, on November 15. Celso, who was a pre-candidate, leaves a void in the opposition that Chapa 30 quickly moved to fill, consolidating itself as the only viable alternative to the current administration.

Arrais' support base grew with the adhesion of journalist Ricardo Mazella, who withdrew his pre-candidacy to support the "Fluminense is in a Hurry" project, unifying the opposition discourse. On the other side, the current administration rallies around Mattheus Montenegro (Chapa 20), current Vice-President General and the candidate chosen by Mário Bittencourt to continue the management, defending recent sports advances and administrative stability.

The Decision Day

Tricolor members should be attentive to the strict rules for voting day. Check the complete guide below to exercise your right:

Date: November 29, 2025 (Saturday)

Time: 08:00 to 17:00 (Brasília)

Location: Laranjeiras Headquarters – Salão NobreRua Álvaro Chaves, 41 – Rio de Janeiro

Ballot Dispute: Chapa 30 (Ademar Arrais) vs. Chapa 20 (Mattheus Montenegro)

Who Can Vote?

Documentation: Presentation of an official photo ID is mandatory. Voting is in-person; there is no option for online or proxy voting in this election.

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