Bad week for John Textor. In the turmoil in France after having announced that the Lyonnais “wanted to play” against Marseille after the bus was stoned and Fabio Grosso’s head injuries, the owner of OL and Botafogo has just been suspended from his duties for 30 days by the Brazilian justice system as a preventive measure according to information from the Globo media.
Indeed, last week, after the defeat of his second club Botafogo against Palmeiras in added time (3-4), while his team led 3-0 at half-time, the American businessman completely broke down in front of the Brazilian cameras, refuting the red card given to Adryelson at the end of the match.
“It doesn’t deserve a red card and it changes the course of the match. It’s corruption. The referees must resign tomorrow,” accused John Textor, cap with the club’s image on his head. Obviously, these declarations did not matter to the local authorities, who therefore temporarily suspended him for a month. The club’s vice-president, Vinicius Assumpção, also received a suspension of the same duration.
“I’m here to set the fire”
Before the sanction fell this Saturday, the majority shareholder of Olympique Lyonnais and Botafogo had published a scathing press release on its website: “I will not back down from challenges launched by people in positions of power who are ready to do anything, and say anything, to cling to their power. We are Botafogo. I’m here to set the fire.”
A new hearing should take place to make the decision definitive. According to Brazilian media, no date has yet been set.
