Ronaldo has withdrawn from the CBF presidential race after failing to gain support from regional federations. Despite his goal to restore the CBF’s prestige, he faced closed doors in discussions, leaving him unable to challenge incumbent Ednaldo Rodrigues, who is likely to be the sole candidate in next year’s election.
Ronaldo, the renowned Brazilian football legend, has announced his withdrawal from the presidential race of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) due to insufficient support from regional federations. The 48-year-old former footballer aimed to restore Brazil’s football honor but concluded he could not compete effectively against the current president, Ednaldo Rodrigues, who enjoys significant backing.
Initially declaring his intention to run in December, Ronaldo sought to revitalize the CBF’s reputation amidst past controversies. However, after attempting to engage with 27 regional federations, he found that 23 of them were unwilling to support his candidacy, indicating that they believed Brazilian football was adequately managed.
In his statement, Ronaldo expressed disappointment at not being able to present his vision and ideas due to the federations’ preference for the status quo. He recognized that since the federations hold the strongest voting influence, his ability to run was effectively undermined by their support for Rodrigues.
The electoral system consists of 27 regional federations, each with three votes, in addition to votes from the 20 Serie A and 20 Serie B clubs. Currently, Rodrigues is set to run unopposed in the upcoming election next year, highlighting the need for Ronaldo’s pivot after an unsuccessful bid for support.
Ronaldo’s withdrawal from the CBF presidential race underscores challenges in garnering electoral support amid a strong current administration. His attempt to revitalize Brazilian football encountered significant barriers, notably a lack of openness from regional federations favoring incumbent Ednaldo Rodrigues. This situation reflects the complexities of leadership transitions within football associations, where established connections often outweigh new proposals.
Original Source: www.espn.com
