Samir Daoud, who was elected president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) a few days ago, has been embroiled in a different case before he can fully start working on football. The country’s police have launched ‘Operation Caixa Preta’ (Black Box) to investigate irregularities in voting in the northern city of Roraima, where CBF president Samir is one of the suspects.
ESPN Brazil reported that Brazilian police are investigating allegations of vote buying in the 2024 Roraima municipal elections. Federal deputy Helena Lima is at the center of the investigation. Her husband and businessman Reinaldo Lima was arrested with 500,000 Brazilian reais before the municipal elections in Roraima.
One of Helena Lima’s associates is CBF president Samir. They are members of the same political party (MDB). Samir, Helena, Lima and Roraima’s superintendent of communications infrastructure (DNIT) Igo Brasil are among six other people under investigation by the police. In addition to the CBF headquarters, the police have also raided Samir’s home.
The CBF confirmed, “Police arrived at the headquarters between 6:24 am and 6:52 am and the operation is part of an investigation initiated by the Roraima Electoral Court. The operation has nothing to do with the CBF or Brazilian football. President Samir Saud is not the focus of the investigation.”
Police have issued search warrants for a total of 10 people in Roraima and Rio de Janeiro. The electoral court has also ordered the seizure of a total of 10 million Brazilian reais from all suspects involved in the investigation.
Samir, 41, became president of the CBF in May this year. His father, Zeca Saud, was elected president of the Roraima Football Federation for the 14th consecutive time in 2023. Brazilian media outlet Globo contacted Samir Saud, Reinaldo Lima and Helena Lima but did not receive a response.
The CBF president, a doctor by profession, previously ran for federal deputy in the 2022 Roraima elections. But he was chosen as an alternative to Helena Lima. Saud is the eighth and youngest president in the history of the CBF.
FAQ
Who is the Brazil football chief mentioned in the investigation?
The football chief is Samir Saud, recently elected president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF).
What is the vote-buying case about?
razilian police are investigating alleged irregularities in the 2024 municipal elections in Roraima, including accusations of vote-buying.
What is Operation Caixa Preta?
Operation Caixa Preta (Black Box) is a federal police investigation targeting election fraud, including raids on several locations linked to suspects.
Is Samir Saud the main focus of the investigation?
According to the CBF, Samir Saud is not the focus of the investigation, although his residence and the CBF headquarters were raided.
