Flamengo know how to generate headlines.
One of the biggest clubs in world football, the Brazilian side have used Cristiano Ronaldo’s name to draw attention to what they call ‘flagrant disregard for the rules’.
Their allegations relate to winger Lázaro who transferred from Flamengo to Almeria back in 2022.
This was long, long before Ronaldo became a co-owner at the Spanish side, who he acquired 25% of in February.
Yet Flamengo still used his name in a statement where they claimed they’re owed money over a player who now plies his trade in Saudi Arabia.
“ALMERIA OWES FLAMENGO NEARLY €1.8 MILLION FOR 590 DAYS,” they wrote to their 10s of millions of followers.
“In February, the athlete Cristiano Ronaldo acquired 25% of the Spanish club.
“Clube de Regatas do Flamengo comes forward to express its vehement repudiation of the conduct adopted by the Spanish club UD Almería, due to the breach of the contractual obligation assumed in the transfer of the athlete Lázaro, carried out in August 2022.
“For 590 days in a state of default, the club has accumulated a debt estimated at more than €1.8 million, in flagrant disregard for the commitments made and the rules that govern relations in international football.
“The case is objective and unequivocal: there is an express contractual obligation that assigns to the Spanish club the responsibility for the payment or reimbursement of the taxes levied in Spain.
“Nevertheless, even after Flamengo was compelled to cover such amounts — totaling more than €1.5 million — and after a formal FIFA decision fully recognizing its right to reimbursement, Almería chooses not to fulfill its obligation.
“The debt after 590 days of default exceeds €1,800,000.00.
“Instead, it adopts a repeated stance of resistance, resorting to procedural tactics with an eminently delaying character, in clear dissonance with the principles of good faith, contractual loyalty, and integrity that should guide relations between clubs in international football.
“This is not a one-off breach, but a conscious and deliberate conduct of postponement that undermines the legal security of contractual relations in football and compromises the credibility of the system.
“Flamengo trusts that the competent bodies, especially the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), will provide the due response to this behaviour, ensuring compliance with the decisions already issued within FIFA and adherence to the commitments undertaken.
“The Club will remain steadfast in defending its rights and protecting the integrity of contractual relations in football, alerting and seeking a firm reaction from clubs, entities, and regulators.”
UPDATE: Almeria respond
Almeria have since issued the following response to Flamengo’s statement.
They wrote: “UD Almería has learned, with surprise, of the Official Note published by Flamengo on its official account on the X platform, entitled “ALMERÍA DEVE AO FLAMENGO CERCA DE € 1,8 MILHÃO HÁ 590 DIAS”.
“UD Almería does not usually comment publicly on ongoing legal or arbitration proceedings. However, in light of the content of said publication, it feels compelled to clarify that Flamengo has omitted relevant circumstances, in particular the formal representations made by UD Almería regarding the application of the Convention for the Avoidance of Double Taxation between Spain and Brazil and the possibility of resorting to the mechanisms provided for therein, a fact that Flamengo itself was fully aware of.
“UD Almería firmly and consistently maintains its position that the amounts claimed are not owed, and the dispute is duly submitted to the consideration of the competent Arbitration Court, where it must be resolved exclusively on the basis of the legal arguments and evidence provided by the parties.
“The statement published by Flamengo while the proceedings are still pending constitutes an improper attempt to exert external influence on an ongoing arbitration process.
“UD Almería considers this type of action incompatible with the principles of procedural good faith, equality of the parties, and the proper administration of arbitral justice.
“UD Almería will continue to defend its position exclusively within the corresponding arbitration procedure.”
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