John Textor says there is corruption in Brazilian football: 'We have evidence'

John Textor, the owner of Botafogo, has leveled serious allegations against referees and the broader structure of Brazilian football, asserting the presence of corruption within the sport.

The American businessman has stirred the football community by claiming to possess concrete evidence of corrupt practices. Textor's accusations come in the wake of Botafogo's disappointing finish in the 2023 championship. Despite leading the Brasileirão standings for a considerable portion of the season, Botafogo ultimately relinquished the title to Palmeiras, ending the campaign in fifth place. This outcome has evidently fueled Textor's resolve to shed light on what he perceives as injustices that affected the competition's integrity.

Textor has promised Botafogo's fans that within the next month, they will be privy to the details of what he alleges truly transpired during the championship. Opting for a cautious approach, he has refrained from publicizing his claims through the media, stating, "The fans will find out, in the next 30 days, what really happened in the championship. They know how I feel about it, but I won't disclose it to the press. That would be irresponsible." Textor's comments hint at a complex scenario involving referee manipulations and administrative delays in payments, as he alludes to possessing recordings of referees complaining about delayed payments.

Significantly, Textor clarifies that his accusations are not directed at Ednaldo Rodrigues, the president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), whom he does not consider corrupt. Instead, Textor suggests that the issue lies with the CBF's management of external corruption, implying that Rodrigues is at the helm of an organization that could be unwittingly entangled in broader corrupt practices beyond its direct control.

Textor's statements were made following Botafogo's 2-1 victory over Red Bull Bragantino in the early hours of Thursday morning, marking the first leg of the third and final qualifying round for the Copa Libertadores group stage. This victory, while a positive result on the field, appears to have been overshadowed by Textor's explosive claims.

As the football world awaits the promised revelations, Textor's allegations have cast a shadow over Brazilian football, raising questions about the integrity of the sport in the country. The coming weeks are likely to be marked by intense scrutiny as stakeholders, fans, and authorities anticipate the evidence Textor claims to hold. His bold stance against corruption has positioned him as a contentious figure, poised to potentially unveil a scandal that could have far-reaching implications for Brazilian football.