Football
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Brazilian national team's squad selection sold to firm, alleges report

The Brazilian national team's squad selection has not entirely been in the hands of its coaches since 2012, alleges a report out of Brazil.

In a shocking exposé in Saturday's O Estadao, the newspaper reveals Brazil's football federation, CBF, entered into a multimillion dollar secret contract with marketing firm ISE in 2006, and since the deal's renewal in December of 2011, has given powers of player call-ups to the Cayman Islands-based company and its business partners.

According to the paper, ISE and its holders have stipulated that a certain group of "A Team" players must feature in all international competitions, and that any potential substitutes must meet a certain marketability standard.

States the document: "CBF will guarantee and ensure that A Team players that are playing in official competitions will participate in any and every match."

Should one of the "A Team" players be injured, the contract mandates CBF must show proof to ISE with a medical certificate.

"Any changes to the list shall be communicated in writing to ISE and confirmed by mutual accord," the paper reports of the contract. "In this case, CBF will endeavor to substitute new players of a similar level in relation to marketing value, technical ability and reputation."

The agreement also instructs that Brazil friendlies can not be used to test up-and-coming youth players, or to prepare the Olympic team, which consists mainly of under-23s. And it further specifies that preparation for the national team's run-ups to the 2018 and 2022 World Cups will be exclusive to the company.

The CBF denied the story's allegations on Sunday, saying the report raises "unfounded suspicions."

O Estadao's story goes on to assert CBF is subject to pay a penalty if it fails to adhere to the selection demands.

The report also details how the governing body sold off the rights to organize the national team's friendlies to another third party, and reveals that, included in the contract, all broadcasting rights and copyrights are under full control of the Cayman-based company.

The contract will end in 2022.

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