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Monday Kickoff: Brazil allegedly sells squad selection rights to firm; Ronaldinho leads Queretaro to semis; and more

Neymar Marcelo Sayao-European Pressphoto Agency

 

By RYAN TOLMICH

If emerging reports are to be believed, the recent managers of Brazil’s national team haven’t had as much power as believed when it comes to selecting a squad.

Brazilian newspaper O Estado is reporting that Brazil’s football federation, CBF, entered a deal with marketing firm ISE in 2006, and renewed that deal in 2011. The agreement reportedly saw the federation give squad selection choices to the Cayman Islands-based company.

The deal reportedly states that Brazil must feature a certain group of players in each competition, with the selections based on marketability. The agreement does now allow Brazil to test out younger players, while also specifies that preparation for the upcoming World Cups will be done by the company.

The contract is reportedly set to end in 2022, although the CBF has released a statement denying the allegations.

Here are some more news and notes to kick off your Monday morning:

RONALDINHO LEADS QUERETARO TO SEMIS

A late goal from Ronaldinho proved to be exactly what Queretaro needed.

The Brazilian legend scored a free kick in the 83rd minute on Sunday, helping to lead Queretaro to the semifinals of the Liga MX Clausura via a 4-3 aggregate victory over Veracruz.

In Sunday’s other quarterfinal second leg, Chivas Guadalajara defeated local rival Atlas, 4-1 on aggregate, behind a first half hat-trick from Marco Fabian.

Queretaro will now take on Pachuca in the semifinals, while Chivas now faces Santos Laguna in the other matchup. The semifinals will kick off either Wednesday and Thursday, with the return legs on Saturday and Sunday.

REAL MADRID’S BUTRAGUENO NONCOMMITAL OVER ANCELOTTI’S FUTURE

Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid will go trophyless this season, leaving the future of the manager up in the air.

Real Madrid institutional director Emilio Butragueno was noncommittal over Ancelotti’s future, leaving the door open for the dismissal of a manager that led the club to La Decima just a year ago.

“It’s not the time to say, and and nor is it the place,” Butragueno said when asked about Ancelotti. ” There’s a game left to play and we need to prepare for what’s coming. I congratulate Barcelona, who had a great second half (of the season). We did what we had to do and got a result (at Espanyol), which was our duty.

“We compete to win and when we don’t, we aren’t happy. This week we deserved to beat Valencia (in La Liga) and Juventus (Champions League), but we didn’t have any luck. We put in a big effort, but we didn’t achieve our objectives.”

QUICK KICKS

German legend Lothar Matthaus has demanded his 1990 World Cup gold-plated boot back from Bayern Munich, who currently keep the boot in the club’s museum. (REPORT)

FIFA will investigate the arrest of a BBC news team in Qatar. (REPORT)

West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Pulis is looking to keep forward Saido Berahino, who has been linked with a move away from the club. (REPORT)

Juventus centerback Angelo Ogbonna is reportedly being targeted by Tottenham and Liverpool. (REPORT)

 

What do you think of the reports out of Brazil? Who do you see as favorites in Mexico? What do you expect from Ancelotti’s future?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. If they had anything to do with picking the 2014 team, and the drubbing they took against Germany, that should come out.

    That also explains why there were comments made in the Brazilian press (and here too) about Kaka being part of this years Copo de Oro team. The US is a marketing giant, and no doubt the company in the Caymans have plenty of connections with marketing partners here in the US. If I were a Brazilian up-and-comer, not quite ready for some the Giant euro teams. I would seriously think about hitching up to an MLS team if I want to improve my chances on making the Brazilian squad

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  2. I’ll take some fast hits, ronaldinho will be in the NASL sooner than later. MLS is not ready for any kind of fan invasion or big soccer crowd, given that when you have the summer friendlies of European teams vs MLS teams, a bunch of fans always jump in and the fat securities or old, don’t even know how to react or don’t even expect how crazy a soccer fan is.

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  3. The Chivas vs Atlas game was crazy! Not because Fabian owned the defense, but because the fans getting on the field and security having to gas them in the stands. Players in Mexico: come to MLS so you aren’t in danger!!!!! Who knows when all that nastiness ends up hurting a player. It is only a matter of time.
    On the other hand, I haven’t seen great security at an MLS game if something like this were to happen here.

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    • ya that was terribly out of control! ultras swarming the field, pushing back at and swinging sticks towards the security all while players were huddled in the benches! very easily could have been way worse.

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  4. There have always been allegations of outside people picking the players for the Brazil’s NT with OGlobo’s name always coming up. I guess OEstado felt left out.

    Reply

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