Sparks could fly at the Club World Cup when Palmeiras and Botafogo reignite their rivalry in Philadelphia on Saturday evening.
The Brazilian giants will lock horns in the round of 16 for a quarter-final spot against the winners of Benfica vs Chelsea.
Botafogo has the league title in their sights before they capitulatedGettyA 0-0 Serie A draw in March marked a quiet episode in their rivalry, but a 2023 clash sent shockwaves on and off the pitch.
Botafogo were in cruise control for much of the country’s top flight campaign that year having won 16 of their opening 21 matches.
But the second half of the campaign would turn into a nightmare as the 1968 and 1995 champions saw their form drop off a cliff.
Just two victories from eight matches after the aforementioned run were followed by the visit of Palmeiras in Rio de Janeiro.
Botafogo seemed destined to return to winning ways as they led 3-0 at half-time via Carlos Eduardo, Tche Tche and Junior Santos goals.
Endrick, now of Real Madrid, brought Palmeiras back into the match after four second half minutes to kickstart an incredible comeback.
He netted a second after Adryelson was sent off for the hosts, with Jose Lopez making it three a piece in the closing moments.
Palmeiras then sensationally won the match in the ninth minute of stoppage-time when Murilo scored from an inswinging free-kick.
The result helped them overtake their opposition and eventually win a second consecutive Serie A title, their 12th overall.
Botafogo on the other hand had simply collapsed, and their majority owner John Textor was incensed with the refereeing performance.
Endrick scored first for Palmeiras to inspire the turnaroundGetty A stoppage-time winner delivered jubilant scenesGettyHe took issue with the red card for Adryelson, made an accusation of corruption and called for the resignation of a Brazilian football chief.
Speaking via ESPN, Textor said: “The whole world saw it, that wasn’t a red card, he got to the ball first. I’m not even sure if it was a foul.
“And it’s not a red card, he changed the game. This is corruption, it’s theft.
“You can fine me, Ednaldo, [Rodrigues, who was the Brazilian Football Confederation president] but you need to resign tomorrow morning.”
Textor then furiously added: “This championship has become a joke.
“Nobody deserves this. The Palmeiras players don’t want to win like this, we don’t want to lose like this.
Textor was left fuming with the result and how it played outGetty“Gentlemen, you played a great game, but this is f***ing corruption. This has to change. And you need to resign for the good of the game.
“You can fine me, expel me, but it’s my stadium, I’ll still be here.”
Palmeiras president Leila Pereira called the American businessman an ‘idiot’ and even hinted that he should face a ban for his comments.
Textor was preventively suspended for 30 days by the Superior Court of Justice along with Botafogo vice president Vinicius Assumpcao.
He even asked the court to invalidate six Serie A matches that he had described as ‘manipulated’, or have them replayed.
Despite the rejection, Textor reportedly supplied them with evidence of wrongdoing with the aid of Good Game.
The French-based firm can detect match-fixing via artificial intelligence for competition organisers as well as betting companies.
However, his allegations and evidence from Good Game were labelled ‘worthless’ by court auditor Mauro Marcelo de Lima e Silva.
Furthermore, The Athletic reported in July 2024 that Textor had also tarnished seven teams, nine players and nine officials’ reputations.
And the recommended outcome given to the Brazilian Football Confederation was a huge 2,340-day ban for the Botafogo owner.
This equates to a little over six years, with a R$2million [Brazilian Real] fine [£290,000] also a suggested sanction.
A report from Brazil in February claimed that Textor agreed to pay a R$1million [£133,000] fine in relation to the allegations he made.
Textor believed corruption was at play in Botafogo’s collapseGettySince then, Textor has faced issues with another two other clubs in his portfolio, Crystal Palace and Lyon.
Premier League outfit Palace have been doubting their ability to play in the Europa League next season after their FA Cup triumph.
Nottingham Forest wrote to UEFA about an alleged breach of multi-club ownership rules through Textor after Lyon also qualified.
UEFA rules say no individual can be ‘simultaneously be involved in any capacity’ for ‘more than one club’ in one of UEFA’s competitions.
It was then announced during the week that Lyon have been relegated to Ligue 2 for the 2025/26 campaign due to financial woes.
But they later announced their decision to appeal the decision, which means their demotion has been frozen.
However, Textor’s club won the Copa Libertadores a year laterGettyLyon are in limbo alongside Palace, who will seek clarification with the French club’s fight against the authorities looking likely to continue.
The ruling on Palace’s European participation is set to be based on the premise of Lyon staying in Ligue 1 and the Europa League.
talkSPORT reported earlier in June that Palace are expected to stay in the Europa League, as Textor doesn’t have a ‘decisive influence’.
Textor has also signed an agreement with New York Jets co-owner Woody Johnson to sell his 43 per cent stake at Selhurst Park.
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