By the time Carlo Ancelotti left Real Madrid, he had already been announced as the new Brazil manager. With the Italian’s time up, and both Ancelotti and Real Madrid planning for the future in late April, a rather unusual situation occurred.
Despite the radio silence from the club and the denials of Ancelotti, the Italian coach was in talks with Brazil over becoming their manager and Los Blancos had contacted Xabi Alonso about taking over. At the time Brazil were on the charm offensive, and intermediary Diego Fernandes was a consistent presence at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Fernandes, a Brazilian businessman who is close to the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), but without an official role, was staying in Madrid in an attempt to broker a deal between Ancelotti and Brazil. When the deal was done, Fernandes was pictured with Ancelotti, and transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano cited him as ‘taking care of talks’.
As explained by Sport, FIFA have opened an investigation into the negotiation, and have demanded that the CBF explain the €1.2m commission paid to Fernandes. The Catalan daily explain that he was contracted by the CBF, and his name features in Ancelotti’s contract.
The crux of the issue is that Fernandes is not a registered FIFA agent, and thus was not permitted to approach Ancelotti on Brazil’s behalf. Sport quote information from UOL Esporte, who say that FIFA have demanded explanations from the CBF by the 4th of June, the day before Ancelotti’s Brazil debut against Ecuador.
On the pitch, Ancelotti is facing a tricky start. They will play away in Quito against Ecuador, and then host Paraguay the following week. The former occupy second spot in the South American qualifying table, and have lost just twice. Meanwhile Paraguay are a spot behind Brazil, and level on points. They have not lost under current manager Gustavo Alfaro, beating Argentina in November. Ancelotti has just a year to get Brazil in shape to challenge for the World Cup next summer.
DrHalaMsdrid
10
I think this is a stupid idea by FIFA … any one with influence can use their position to connect businesses around the world …. The names businessman didnt buy or sold players neither did he sold Ancelotti nor Brazil as a sporting franchise, HE ONLY TOOK CARE IF THE BUSINESS PART USING HIS INFLUENCE AND PROXIMITY as a BRAZILIAN CITIZEN doing his job as a patriot…. And yes he deserves to be duly rewarded and remunerated for his role in brokering the deal So what FIFA is doing is counter productive…. Are they now saying we can’t be PATRIOTIC TO SERVE THE INTEREST of our individual NATION ? maybe it’s the 1.2m that FIFA is after …. Cus last time we know …. THEY ARE A CORRUPT ORGANIZATION ANYWAY