Botafogo’s SAF owner, John Textor, is facing another controversy. Last Thursday (23), the American announced that he has filed a lawsuit against Palmeiras president Leila Pereira for slander and defamation.
Textor alleges that he was offended by the Palmeiras chairwoman. The crimes of slander and defamation carry a fine and even detention.
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Textor’s controversies
- John Textor filed a lawsuit against Palmeiras president Leila Pereira;
- The American has accumulated controversial episodes since he took over the command of Botafogo;
- Sambafoot recalls the main controversies of John Textor at the Rio club.
The lawsuit
John Textor is seeking compensation for moral damages. The lawsuit is being filed by an individual against another individual. Thus, Botafogo and Palmeiras are not involved in the legal proceedings.
Accumulating controversies
The American has accumulated controversial cases since he took over the command of Botafogo. Recall the episodes:
Friction with fans
In November of last year, Textor had a friction with one of Botafogo’s main fan groups. The American shared a post from fans who demanded the removal of Marlon Freitas, Eduardo, Victor Cuesta and Di Plácido and responded.
“Seriously? Is this a joke? You are the least respected and most useless of our wonderful fan groups. The Botafogo family feels pain, but does not get up with you. Respect the men who gave the hope of dreaming again,” he wrote at the time.
Strong statement
Botafogo’s defeat to Palmeiras at Nilton Santos, in the 2023 Brazilian Championship, sparked John Textor’s fury. The SAF owner was outraged by Adryelson’s sending off in the match.
“This is corruption, this is robbery. Please, fine me, Ednaldo (CBF president), but you need to resign tomorrow morning. This is what needs to happen. This championship has become a joke,” he blurted out.
Textor was punished by the STJD (Brazilian Sports Justice) after the statements. CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues also sued the American for slander.
Disagreed
Also in 2023, the game between Botafogo and Fortaleza was postponed, since the Ceará team was in the Copa Sudamericana final. Textor disapproved.
“I made it clear what I think for the CBF and for Fortaleza. I think it’s embarrassing for the Brazilian football brand that I would so much like to show the world,” he criticized.
Poked
When the Justice removed Ednaldo Rodrigues from the presidency of the CBF, in December last year, John Textor poked.
“With a new president and a new dawn for the CBF, Botafogo remains committed to improving transparency and fair play standards in Brazil,” he said.
Manipulation and corruption
John Textor denounced an alleged match-fixing scheme in Brazilian football. Last month, the director stated during a Senate CPI (Parliamentary Inquiry Commission) meeting that match-fixing in Brazilian football is “a reality”.
Textor commissioned a study that, according to him, evidences the allegations of manipulation. The STJD opened an investigation to investigate Textor’s statements and determined that the SAF owner send the evidence of alleged corruption within three days. However,
Textor’s defense stated that the evidence would only be presented to the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Textor also guaranteed to have evidence that Palmeiras has been favored in the last two seasons. One of the games cited by the American that would have been manipulated occurred last year, in Palmeiras’ 5-0 victory over São Paulo, in the Brazilian Championship.
Remembering Zagallo
Sambafoot Series launched a new documentary about the football legend Zagallo. Known as ‘Velho Lobo‘ and as superstitious as it gets, Zagallo helped shape what Brazilian football is nowadays — as a player and as a coach.
Watch the full series, available on Sambafoot’s Youtube channel.
