The Court of the State of Rio de Janeiro has once again suspended the political rights of Eagle Bidco, which owns 90% of Botafogo’s SAF. Earlier this week, the company had its rights reinstated by an arbitration tribunal of the Getúlio Vargas Foundation (FGV).
The 2nd Business Court of the Capital, in a decision by Judge Marcelo Mondego de Carvalho Lima, reaffirmed Durcesio Mello as the CEO of the SAF. The arbitration tribunal had previously deemed Mello’s appointment “irregular.”
“Consequently, all decisions issued in ongoing proceedings before this court remain in effect, particularly those in events 5 and 33 of the precautionary guardianship preceding the judicial recovery (case No. 3071097-93.2026.8.19.0001). The general assembly must proceed as determined by this court, maintaining the suspension of Eagle Bidco’s political rights to vote in any deliberation of Botafogo SAF, as well as any manager or representative acting on its behalf in the management of the plaintiff. The political rights of Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas remain fully intact,” the court ruling stated.
Last month, the Rio de Janeiro court suspended Eagle Bidco’s rights in Botafogo’s SAF, allowing only the club’s association to vote in the Extraordinary General Assembly scheduled for May 14.
The arbitration tribunal earlier concluded there is a positive conflict of jurisdiction regarding Eagle Bidco’s voting rights, which must be decided by the Superior Court of Justice. On April 28, Judge Marcelo Mondego de Carvalho Lima had already removed Bidco’s voting rights.
Botafogo has an Extraordinary General Assembly scheduled for May 14. The first call will be at 3 PM (GMT). A second call, with any quorum, will take place on May 19.
The club also faces the risk of losing points in the Brazilian league if it fails to pay its debt to Atlanta United.