Rio de Janeiro – A united front of Botafogo’s organized supporter groups has issued a scathing rebuke of the club’s current leadership, specifically targeting owner John Textor and the Sociedade Anônima de Futebol (SAF) structure. The groups released a joint statement on Monday, March 31, 2026, detailing deep concerns over the club’s financial instability and lack of clear direction, demanding immediate action and transparency.
The coordinated response underscores a growing sense of frustration among Botafogo fans, who feel the club is being mismanaged under Textor’s ownership. The supporters are not only voicing their discontent but are also demanding a concrete plan to address the mounting issues plaguing the historic Rio de Janeiro club.
Fan Groups Issue Fiery Statement
The statement, released by seven prominent torcidas organizadas – Fúria Jovem, Torcida Jovem, Loucos Pelo Botafogo, Torcida Fogoró, Botachopp, Torcida Folgada, and Resistência Alvinegra – doesn’t mince words. It accuses Textor and the SAF of treating Botafogo as a disposable asset within a larger investment portfolio, a far cry from the commitment expected when the SAF model was adopted.
“The Botafogo is, a century-old institution,” the statement reads. “Its history was built by generations of fans, players, and workers who dedicated their lives to this club. The transition to the SAF model was accepted by the fans as a bet on the future, never as authorization for Botafogo to be treated as a disposable piece of an international portfolio.”
The groups cite a litany of problems, including delayed player salaries, unpaid tax obligations, the absence of a permanent head coach, and a lack of a consistent sporting project. They also point to the financial difficulties of Eagle Football Holdings, Textor’s holding company, which is reportedly facing administration proceedings in the United Kingdom. According to the statement, this pattern of management has negatively impacted other clubs under Textor’s control and is now repeating itself at Botafogo.
A Direct Appeal to John Textor
The statement includes a direct and pointed message to Textor himself, accusing him of being absent and unresponsive. “You disappear. You are not present. You do not dialogue with the fans. You do not provide clarification,” the supporters wrote. “Whereas the club bleeds week after week, you remain distant and silent, as if Botafogo were a secondary problem on your agenda. This represents not management. This is omission.”
The organized groups are demanding Textor’s immediate presence and a public statement outlining the club’s future. They are calling for a concrete plan to address the immediate crises: paying overdue salaries, settling tax debts, hiring a modern coaching staff, and establishing a structured sporting project for the season. “We don’t want promises. We want action and we want it now,” the statement emphasizes.
The supporters also suggest that if Textor is unable or unwilling to manage Botafogo with the seriousness it deserves, he should step aside and allow someone truly committed to the club to take over.
The statement further demands full transparency regarding the club’s debts and insists that all outstanding obligations to players, employees, and suppliers be honored. Any restructuring process, they assert, must prioritize the sporting and institutional integrity of Botafogo.
Acknowledging Risks, Prioritizing Responsible Action
While acknowledging the anger and frustration of the fanbase, the organized groups also stressed the importance of responsible action. They recognize the legal constraints imposed by the SAF model and cautioned against actions that could lead to severe penalties, including fines and even arrests, ultimately harming the club they are striving to protect.
“We know that, in the face of this scenario, many fans are clamoring for responses commensurate with the indignation we feel,” the statement reads. “The organized groups hear this call, understand this revolt, and fully share this feeling. However, it is necessary to be responsible.”
The groups maintain that their strength lies in conscious mobilization, organized pressure, and unity. They are committed to continuing their efforts to advocate for the club’s best interests.
The statement concludes with a powerful affirmation of Botafogo’s enduring spirit: “Botafogo belongs to its history and its people. No corporate model will change that. And it is in the name of this history that we stand firm, with responsibility and without backing down.”
The situation at Botafogo is developing rapidly. According to reports from ESPN Brasil, a meeting of the club’s Deliberative Council on Monday revealed a growing sentiment among members that Textor should no longer be in charge of the SAF. The council is reportedly exploring “new paths” forward, including potential investors, though the club is not considering reassuming control of the football operations directly.
John Textor, however, has defended his position, stating that the club’s association only holds a 10% stake in the SAF and therefore lacks the authority to make sweeping changes. He also pointed to the club’s recent successes – winning the 2024 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A and the 2024 Copa Libertadores – as evidence of sound management.
The next 30 days are expected to be crucial as the club’s association seeks a resolution, with or without Textor. Fans will be closely watching for any developments and hoping for a swift and positive outcome for their beloved Botafogo.
