Lamacchia denies emails showing Leila and he created Almirante to buy Vasco

Internal communications from 777 Partners reveal that José Roberto Lamacchia and Leila Pereira established the corporate entity Almirante at the exact time Crefisa initiated discussions to purchase Vasco da Gama.

E-Mails Outline Crefisa Term Sheet Discussions

Between April 2 and April 16, 2024, executives within 777 Partners exchanged internal messages reviewing a term sheet submitted by Crefisa. That document detailed the general terms of interest from the financial institution regarding a potential purchase of Vasco da Gama.

Corporate records reviewed alongside those communications show that José Roberto Lamacchia and Leila Pereira formed the entity that would eventually execute the purchase right as those conversations began. Initially registered under the name Top Gol, the company’s official corporate purpose included taking equity stakes in SAF (Sociedade Anônima do Futebol) entities.

Until April 17, 2024, Leila Pereira maintained an ownership share in the enterprise through Crefipar, the holding company that also controls Crefisa. The corporate structure shifted before the final transaction was completed.

CBF Investigates Almirante Purchase of Vasco Da Gama

Marcos Lamacchia, son of José Roberto Lamacchia and stepson of Leila Pereira, eventually took command of Almirante. Under his leadership, the firm secured Vasco da Gama in an auction held on Sept. 25. The club’s deliberative council subsequently approved the transaction.

Despite the approval from club officials, the acquisition remains under scrutiny. Anresf, an agency operating under the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), opened a formal proceeding to investigate potential conflicts of interest surrounding the purchase.

The regulatory inquiry focuses on the active roles held by Leila Pereira as president of Palmeiras and José Roberto Lamacchia as a club counselor at Palmeiras during the timeline of the Vasco acquisition.

Lamacchia Denies Authenticity of Disclosed Documents

Contacted by reporters regarding the leaked communications, José Roberto Lamacchia rejected the validity of the records through his press office. The businessman disputed any involvement in negotiating the purchase through digital correspondence.

“I want to make it clear that I never sent an email negotiating with Vasco,” Lamacchia said through his advisory team. “I do not authorize anyone to speak on my behalf. These documents are fabricated and false. I will sue those responsible for the fabrication and dissemination of these false documents.”

Anresf Continues Investigation into Ownership Structure

The Anresf investigation into the ownership structure and potential conflicts of interest continues at the CBF.