After the collapse of his Botafogo team in the Brazilian championship, John Textor took legal action to denounce an arbitration advantage in favor of Palmeiras. The American is not going to improve his image…
In Brazil either, John Textor is not a very popular owner. After being well at the top of the table, his Botafogo team collapsed, ending on a run of 11 matches without a win, which pushed Diego Costa and his teammates back to fifth place.
Sanctioned during the season for bloodshed against the referees, Textor did it again by taking legal action in Brazil to denounce favorable arbitration in favor of the champion, Palmeiras. The American businessman claims to have “evidence” manipulation of results and erroneous refereeing decisions. But his argument, based on a report prepared by the company Good Game! does not have the “minimal legal possibility” to promote an investigation. “The reasons given are subjective and inconsistent, because they are unilateral interpretations which are not relevant to sporting reality”responded from the STJD (Superior Court of Sports Justice).
“ In football, it’s not enough to have money to win »
Textor came into conflict with Leila Pereira, the powerful president of Palmeiras, who called the American “unbalanced”. To which Textor replied ironically: “ Aboutand balance, it is worth noting that his team lives in a world where playing 11 versus 10 represents balance. Palmeiras has enjoyed the 11-10 advantage on eleven occasions during the 2023 season, a year in which teams have achieved this advantage on average 3 times. Botafogo, which that year had aggressive competition (also faced with documented violent actions), did not take advantage at any time. »
In short, there is bickering between leaders. And Textor’s first steps at the head of Botafogo did not come without difficulty. “In football, it’s not enough to have money to win. There are leagues whose greatest value is their own culture”thus denounces the daily A Bola in a vitriolic text against the American and his multiple ownership of clubs which do not work. “Botafogo and Lyon are powder kegs in a habitat where supporters and ultras flourish. The French club has a history (and supporters) to respect, if only for its seven consecutive championships,” adds A Bola, who is definitely not convinced by Textor’s methods.
