📄 Botafogo Responds to Reports of Financial Transactions and Leadership Structure
Botafogo has issued a statement addressing recent reports regarding financial transactions involving owner John Textor and the club’s leadership structure. The club acknowledged the difficulty of responding to every piece of news that emerges, but emphasized the demand to correct inaccurate information being circulated by some media outlets.
On March 24, 2026, reports surfaced claiming that John Textor transferred R$110 million from Botafogo to Lyon as part of the purchase of the SAF Botafogo. However, the club clarified that between July 2024 and February 2025, Lyon transferred over R$233.7 million (€38 million) to Botafogo, a detail the original report omitted. Botafogo contends the initial report intentionally presented a misleading picture of the financial dealings.
The club also addressed claims that the SAF may not have fulfilled the terms of its shareholders agreement. Botafogo stated that the required R$400 million investment had been deposited in advance, nearly a year before the deadline. In 2025, the club’s overall budget exceeded the minimum target by more than five times, and the football budget surpassed its minimum goal by over three times. Investments have significantly increased the estimated value of the team’s roster to approximately R$750 million, according to specialized websites.
Botafogo contrasted its current infrastructure with its state in February 2021, when a former director reportedly stated the club lacked even training balls. Today, the SAF boasts some of the best training, game, and corporate facilities in Brazil.
Leadership and Loan Details
Regarding a March 23, 2026, report concerning John Textor granting himself the power to represent Botafogo in loan agreements, the club explained that the situation arose from the resignation of former CEO Thairo Arruda. As both were the only statutory directors, Textor naturally remained the sole decision-maker. The club also clarified that Textor did not grant himself any additional powers.
The report also mentioned Textor’s decision to apply Swiss law to all revenue related to player transfers. Botafogo explained this was a requirement of a new creditor, as FIFA, the governing body of football, is based in Switzerland and all football-related disputes are resolved there. The club refuted claims of a R$3 billion debt, stating that the current debt is closer to half that amount and primarily consists of payments for player acquisitions.
Finally, Botafogo addressed a March 20, 2026, report about financial operations between Botafogo and Lyon involving players like Luiz Henrique and Thiago Almada. The club asserted that these transactions were conducted legally and without irregularities, and that the “Textor model” of player recruitment has been successful. Botafogo intends to pursue legal action against Lyon and those who disrupted this model to recover owed funds.
“We have completed four years of SAF this month of March. Many situations did not occur as we planned, others were even better than we could imagine. We know our responsibility and will continue working for a Botafogo that is a protagonist, with the feeling that we need a united Club so that all this reflects in a strong and champion football,” the club statement concluded.
