The Independent Study on the Future of Football in Brazil, being developed by SIGA LATIN AMERICA for the Parliamentary Front for the Modernization of Football, gained significant momentum last week with a series of meetings with various European organizations and experts.
Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, Global CEO of SIGA and Chairman & CEO of SIGA LATIN AMERICA, hosted Eduardo Bandeira de Mello’s (Brazilian Congressmen and President of the aforementioned Parliamentary Front) visit to Portugal.
With a busy agenda and a series of working meetings, the drivers of the Independent Study on the Future of Brazilian Football officially launched the external consultation process. They engaged in discussions with a diverse group of high-level representatives from the sports movement, the Portuguese government, and international organizations to better understand the Portuguese and international reality and draw valuable insights for the football of the five-time FIFA world champion country.
Aiming to develop a rigorous and objective diagnosis of the current state of football in Brazil, the study will outline and propose a robust and appropriate set of reforms to ensure the sustainable and long-term development of the industry in the country.
Conducted strictly independently, neutrally, and inclusively, the process aims to involve all stakeholders and relevant entities, including the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), state federations, and representatives of clubs, players, coaches, referees, and fans. Additionally, it includes sponsors, broadcasters, commercial partners, media, as well as the government, Congress, and Senate.
During the nearly week-long working visit, fundamental issues were addressed, such as the Social Role and Economic Dimension of Football; Good Governance; Integrity, Transparency, and Financial Oversight; Sports Betting Integrity; Development and Protection of Minors in Football, including combating trafficking, racism, and athlete abuse. Essential aspects related to legal frameworks, competencies, operation, and implementation of professional leagues were also discussed, along with the experiences of some of the most relevant clubs with the creation of Football PLCs.
Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros and Eduardo Bandeira de Mello met with leaders from various entities, including the Portuguese government, represented by the Secretary of State for Youth and Sport, the Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth, the Sports Foundation, the Liga Portugal, the European Leagues, FC Porto Football SAD, Vitória Sport Club, “Os Belenenses,” the Professional Football Players’ Union, FIFPro Europe, the National Association of Football Coaches, the Olympic Committee of Portugal, the Porto Municipal Council, the Porto Commercial Association, consulting firm PwC, the company Fun-Addict, the law firm RBMS, and the National Authority for the Prevention and Combating of Violence in Sport, among others.
Soon, SIGA LATIN AMERICA will publicly disclose the Concept and Implementation Process of the Independent Study, including the composition of expert groups involved in the study, as well as the date and location of the inaugural high-level conference that will mark the beginning of the study in Brazil.
Commenting on the results of the meetings held in Portugal, Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, Global CEO of SIGA and Chairman & CEO of SIGA LATIN AMERICA, emphasized the importance of the bridges created and the relevance of knowledge sharing:
“The Consultation Process held in Portugal allowed significant progress for the Independent Study on the Future of Football in Brazil. For a week, we met with key players in Portuguese sports. We shared experiences and knowledge, discussed best practices, and the most pressing challenges. SIGA and the Parliamentary Front for the Modernization of Football in Brazil remain committed to leading the sports reform process in South America and have taken significant steps towards producing the necessary knowledge for adopting best practices.”
Eduardo Bandeira de Mello added:
“The mission in Portugal within the Parliamentary Front for the Modernization of Brazilian Football in cooperation with SIGA was extremely productive. We visited sports associations, sports administration entities, coaches’ and athletes’ unions, government institutions, and consultancies operating in the football segment. This was the first of a series of trips aimed at supporting the study being developed in partnership between SIGA and our Parliamentary Front. We are advancing studies on Financial Fair Play, football integrity, and promoting sustainable practices aligned with ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles. The responsibility of clubs today goes far beyond labor or fiscal responsibility.”
– FIM –
ABOUT SIGA
SIGA is the world’s leading organisation for Sport Integrity. We are creating a whole new landscape for the sports industry by delivering independent global rating and certification for world Sport to ensure it is governed and operates under the highest integrity standards: The SIGA Universal Standards.
Funded by our Members, SIGA is a non for profit global independent organisation with one aim: To ensure the sport industry is governed under the highest integrity standards so that the values of sport are protected.
SIGA is the only organisation to bring together sport, governments, academia, international organisations, sponsors, business, rights holders, NGOs and professional services companies, from every region in the world, around a common cause of fostering greater integrity throughout sport.
SIGA is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, as a non for-profit association, and comprises of the following continental subsidiaries: SIGA AMERICA, SIGA EUROPE and SIGA LATIN AMERICA.
For more information on SIGA, including its vision, mission and reform agenda, please refer to the website: www.siga-sport.com and FAQs.
To contact SIGA, please email: comms@siga-sport.com.
@Sigalliance – Twitter, Instagram, Linkedin | #SIGA #SIGAWoW