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São Paulo-based newspaper Estadão uncovers major evidence that points to national team selection being influenced by outside forces

São Paulo-based newspaper Estadão has uncovered damning evidence that could have far-reaching implications for the Brazilian game.

Documents obtained by Estadão show that the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has been auctioning off national team selection in exchange for millions of dollars in commissions from agents and companies.

According to the agreements, players that have been picked for the national squad must meet a list of criteria set out by commercial partners and any replacements made due to injury must be done in “mutual agreement” between the CBF and the commercial partners.

The agreements were part of the minutes of a contract between the CBF and a company called ISE, who have no employees or office and are based in the Cayman Islands. Upon further digging, it is revealed that ISE is a front for a Saudi Arabian conglomerate known as Dallah Al-Baraka, founded by Saleh Abdulla Kamel.

The contract was first signed in 2006, and it originally only covered the organisation of Brazil’s friendly matches. In 2011, the contract was renewed by ex-CBF president Ricardo Teixeira, and that was when the sporting aspects of the deal where secretly put into place.

In the contract, it stipulates that the main players of the national squad should play every game, therefore negating the opportunity of Brazil using their friendlies to test out young prospects or even using their friendlies to help prepare for the Olympics, taking place in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

Article 9.1 states: “The CBF will ensure and guarantee that Team A players that are playing in official competitions will participate in any and every match.”

Any violation means that the payment quota to the CBF is lowered. “If it happens that the players of any game are not part of Team A, the rate will be reduced by 50%,” the contract stipulates.

The contract also dictates that if players are out through injury, the CBF must prove with a medical certificate that the player is unable to play to the owners of ISE. “Any changes to the list shall be communicated by writing to ISE and confirmed by mutual agreement. In this case, the CBF will strive to replace the player with one of a similar level, with respect to marketing value, technical skills and reputation.”

The new contract (which took effect in December 2011, and runs until 2022) also states that broadcasting rights, copyright and any other aspects are under the full control of the front company registered in the Cayman Islands. An article stipulates that even if the agreement is suspended, copyright rights are maintained indefinitely. Any violation means that the CBF will have to pay a fine of $1 million.

Finally, the contract states that the periods of preparation for the national team for the World Cups of 2018 and 2022 will be the exclusive domain of ISE.

These revelations will cause new shockwaves in a country already reeling from a political disaster in the Petrobras corruption scandal – and still recovering from the after effects of that 7-1 humbling by Germany in the World Cup almost a year ago.

For more on this story go to: https://www.the-newshub.com/football/brazils-national-team-sold-off-by-cbf

UPDATE: Brazil denies commercial interference over team selection
From news.xinhuanet.com
RIO DE JANEIRO, May 18 (Xinhua) — Brazil’s football federation (CBF) has denied allowing a sports marketing firm to decide who plays for the country’s national team.

A report in the Estado de S.Paulo newspaper on Sunday claimed ISE, a company based in the Cayman Islands, has influenced team selection since signing a contract with the CBF in 2006.

In a statement published on its website, the CBF refuted allegations that it “sold” or “auctioned” Brazil’s national team.

“The CBF vehemently repudiates these malicious insinuations,” the federation said. “The contract [with ISE] is not a secret and at no times does it influence player selection.”

The report said the contract allowed ISE to nominate players who must start every game and veto those deemed not marketable enough.

ISE belongs to Dallah Al-Baraka, a Saudi Arabian holding company with investments in finance, healthcare, banking, transport, manufacturing and other industries.

For more on this story go to: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2015-05/18/c_134248404.htm