Botafogo’s SAF has formally challenged the decision by the Getúlio Vargas Foundation (FGV) Arbitral Tribunal that removed American businessman John Textor from his leadership role, asserting the ruling oversteps its authority and demanding immediate reconsideration.
In a statement released early Friday morning, the club’s SAF said it would take all legally available measures to seek a review of the tribunal’s order, which was issued on Thursday and took effect immediately. The decision, made by the FGV’s Arbitration Chamber, removed Textor as president of Botafogo’s SAF amid an ongoing dispute with Eagle Bidco, the entity that holds 90% of the club’s economic rights.
The SAF argued that the ruling improperly intervenes in matters reserved for shareholder assemblies, undermining the club’s governance structure. “The decision advances on typically corporate matters, replacing, in an exceptional manner and without proper deliberation, the will of the shareholders, whose expression, by legal and statutory definition, must occur in a duly convened regular assembly,” the statement read, as reported by Globo Esporte.
To ensure operational continuity during the appeal process, Botafogo’s SAF appointed Durcesio Mello, former club president (2021–2024) and current member of the SAF’s Administrative Council, as interim general director. Mello, who has been associated with Botafogo since 1994, emphasized his commitment to institutional stability in his first public remarks after assuming the role.
“I was called by the Administrative Council of the SAF to provide stability in this critical moment, which deeply honors me. I have experience in guiding the club’s transition to the SAF model, winning the Libertadores and the Brasileirão, and helping transform BFR. The SAF professionals continue in their positions, activities and football routines are preserved, and everyone is acting with maturity during this period,” Mello said, according to CNN Brasil.
He added that players are being kept informed with transparency and that the focus remains on the upcoming match against Internacional in Brasília. “We are creating the conditions for them to focus solely on the game tomorrow,” Mello stated.
The SAF reiterated that Mello’s appointment is necessary to ensure proper representation in the club’s judicial recovery proceedings and before sports authorities, and to prevent third-party interests from overriding those of Botafogo SAF.
The FGV tribunal’s decision is scheduled for reevaluation on Wednesday, April 29, when both parties will have the opportunity to present arguments. Botafogo’s SAF said it will use this hearing to formally request the reversal of Textor’s removal, maintaining that the action was not initiated by Eagle Bidco and that the tribunal exceeded its jurisdiction.
The club also confirmed it will pursue legal avenues to challenge the ruling, asserting that the measure disrupts standard corporate procedures and risks destabilizing the institution during a sensitive period involving its judicial recovery.
As of Friday afternoon, no further statements had been issued by the FGV Arbitral Tribunal or Eagle Bidco regarding the SAF’s request for reconsideration.
Botafogo’s next match is scheduled for Saturday against Internacional at Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha in Brasília, kickoff set for 4:00 p.m. Local time (19:00 UTC). The club confirmed that team preparations are proceeding normally despite the administrative developments.
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