On Friday (23), the CBF welcomed the British Consul General in Rio de Janeiro, Edward Haxton. The meeting aimed to strengthen institutional dialogue and discuss opportunities to exchange experiences between Brazilian and English football.
Haxton was welcomed by CBF President Samir Xaud, Executive Director Helder Melillo, Secretary General Alcino Rocha, and Roberto Oliveira, Director of International Affairs. The consul was accompanied by Raiza Martinelli, the Consulate’s Senior Economic Director.
During the meeting, CBF representatives presented initiatives that form part of the ongoing modernisation of Brazilian football, including the introduction of Financial Fair Play, investment in improving refereeing, and discussions on establishing a national league. The Premier League’s experience, an international benchmark for competition organisation and management, was one of the main topics of conversation.
Edward Haxton, Helder Melillo and Samir Xaud: the meeting at the CBF provided an opportunity to coordinate exchanges between Brazilian and English footballCredits: Jo Marconne / CBF
“The Premier League is one of our inspirations in the modernisation process the CBF is currently undergoing. We have been making important structural changes and are looking to learn about best practices from other leagues to strengthen Brazilian football,” said Samir Xaud.
Building closer ties with English football is already part of the organisation’s initiatives. In January this year, CBF representatives undertook a study visit to Europe to learn about football experiences and organisational models across the continent, with the Premier League among the models studied for the modernisation of Brazilian football.
Friday’s meeting also paved the way for new opportunities for cooperation. Among the possibilities discussed was organising a programme in 2027 bringing together representatives from the CBF, Brazilian clubs and football associations, as well as representatives from the Premier League and English clubs, to further the exchange of knowledge on organising and developing competitions.
The consul was presented with a personalised Brazil national team shirtCredits: Jo Marconne / CBF
Consul General Edward Haxton highlighted the importance of building closer ties and expressed his pleasure at the opportunity to contribute to dialogue between the institutions.
At the end of the visit, Haxton was presented with a Brazil national team number 10 shirt. The diplomat expressed his thanks for the gift and said it was “the best present” he had received in Brazil.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.