Teixeira is combining both roles, but has come under increasing pressure after police opened an investigation into corruption allegations against him. The allegations stem from a raid police conducted on a sports marketing company in Rio de Janeiro, which is suspected as being a front to siphon off US$5.6 million in public funds. The money was designated to fund a friendly international between Brazil and Portugal in 2008.
Teixeira also serves as an influential FIFA Executive Committee member and has been a controversial figure in world football circles. The CBF has denied the allegations against Teixeira, but the National Confederation of Fan Organisations (Conatorg) has announced protests for the weekend of August 27-28. The demonstrations will involve more than 20 fan groups representing leading clubs such as Flamengo and Corinthians.
“One of our flags will be the fight against Ricardo Teixeira,” said Wildner Rocha, president of Conatorg, in quotes reported by Reuters. “We want a transparent administration with ethics.”
Source: www.sportbusiness.com 19/08/2011
