Botafogo will need to shell out 21 million dollars (R$ 114 million at the current exchange rate) to Atlanta United to avoid a transfer ban.
The Glorious was defeated by the American team following a lawsuit filed with FIFA due to non-payment for the purchase of Thiago Almada.
Advertisement
And it has already issued an official statement – see below.
The Argentine attacking midfielder joined the Rio de Janeiro club in July last year for a fixed 22 million dollars.
He played 26 games, won the Brazilian championship and the Libertadores before being loaned to Lyon until 2025 and then negotiated with Atlético de Madrid for 21 million euros in July this year.
Atlanta filed this lawsuit back in November 2024 after not receiving the first two installments of the deal – which should have been paid in July and September.
In the initial decision, FIFA demanded full payment. Botafogo appealed, arguing that it should only settle the first installments – totaling 6 million dollars.
Advertisement
The hearing on the matter, held online at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), took place in October. And the decision was made official this Tuesday (9).
See Botafogo’s statement
OFFICIAL STATEMENT
Botafogo, represented by the law firm Bichara and Motta Advogados, received on Tuesday (12/09) the arbitral decision issued by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which confirmed FIFA’s understanding that the Club must pay the full amount involved in the transfer of player Thiago Almada, to Atlanta United, from the United States.
Maintaining its commitment to transparency with its supporters, the Club informs that it will continue to take all legal measures applicable in the case.
Advertisement
It is worth noting that John Textor, the majority shareholder of SAF Botafogo, has presented financing proposals to the other partners of Eagle Football Holdings to cover the payment of all existing debts of Botafogo with FIFA, as well as the budget for player signings in the January transfer window and for the rest of the 2026 season. Textor has fully guaranteed resources for these items and expects to obtain the cooperation and approval of these budgets from a friendly and cooperative Eagle council.
SAF Botafogo
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
📸 Buda Mendes – 2024 Getty Images
#Botafogo #pay #R114 #million #avoid #transfer #ban #heres