Vasco Fans Honor Potential New Owner Amid Ongoing Challenges
Vasco will welcome Cruzeiro to São Januário this Saturday (29) at 9:20 p.m. local time for Matchday 25 of the 2026 Brasileirão. Ahead of the match, Cruz-Maltino supporters displayed a banner in tribute to Marcos Lamacchia, the businessman currently leading efforts to acquire the Rio club’s SAF.
The supporters’ banner also honored José Roberto Lamacchia, Marcos’ father and the spouse of Palmeiras president Leila Pereira.
In addition to the banner, Vasco fans enthusiastically chanted, “Olê lê, olá lá, Lamacchia is coming and things are going to heat up!”
Sale of the SAF and the Pedrinho x Bap Feud
The prospective sale of 90% of Vasco’s SAF to Marcos Lamacchia has ignited disputes between Pedrinho, president of Vasco, and Luiz Eduardo Baptista, president of Flamengo. Baptista has voiced concerns regarding “cross-ownership” and potential conflict of interest due to the family ties involving Leila Pereira. He argues this could lead to undue influence over both clubs, which might violate financial fair play regulations.
Baptista plans to take legal action and has reached out to regulators and the CBF in an effort to halt the deal. Conversely, Pedrinho has labeled Baptista’s approach as a “persecution” against Vasco, asserting the deal is legal and crucial for the club’s financial revitalization.
While judicial authorities review the sale process, Vasco is aiming to secure a R$150 million DIP loan urgently required to meet immediate obligations during judicial recovery. However, a judge has placed the loan application on hold, questioning the financial projections and seeking more clarification.
Current Standings and Copa do Brasil
Vasco currently finds itself in a precarious second-to-last position with only 22 points, emphasizing the need to secure victories to avoid further relegation woes. In contrast, Cruzeiro holds fifth place in the standings with 39 points and aims for a fifth consecutive league win to break into the top four.
Both teams remain engaged in the Copa do Brasil quarterfinals. Vasco narrowly defeated Vitória 1-0 in the first leg at São Januário and will play for a draw at Barradão next Wednesday (2) to advance to the semifinals. Meanwhile, Cruzeiro drew 1-1 with Atlético-MG in their first leg and will need to secure a win at Arena MRV next Tuesday (1) to progress.
Vasco host Cruzeiro at São Januário this Saturday (29) at 9:20 p.m. (Brasília time) for Matchday 25 of the 2026 Brasileirão.
Before kickoff, the Cruz-Maltino supporters unveiled a banner in honor of Marcos Lamacchia, the businessman currently “leading” the race to buy the Rio club’s SAF.
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Also featured on the supporters’ banner of the Giant of the Hill was José Roberto Lamacchia, Marcos’ father and the husband of Palmeiras president Leila Pereira.
In addition to the banner, Vasco fans sang: “Olê lê, olá lá, Lamacchia is coming and things are going to heat up!”
👀 Sale of the SAF and the Pedrinho x Bap feud
The imminent sale of 90% of Vasco’s SAF to businessman Marcos Lamacchia has sparked a series of clashes between Pedrinho, president of the Giant of the Hill, and Luiz Eduardo Baptista, president of archrivals Flamengo.
Bap alleges “cross-ownership” and a conflict of interest, arguing that the family relationship could amount to undue influence by Leila Pereira (Marcos Lamacchia’s stepmother) over two Brasileirão clubs, which would be prohibited under financial fair play rules and Brazilian football regulations.
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The Rubro-Negro chief has already indicated that he will take the matter to court and has contacted the regulatory agency (ANRESF) and the CBF in an attempt to block the transaction.
On the other side, Pedrinho has pushed back against the criticism, calling Bap’s stance a “persecution” of Vasco and defending the legality of the deal and its importance for the club’s financial recovery.
While the courts analyze the sale process, Vasco are seeking approval for a DIP loan worth R$150 million, requested urgently to cover immediate obligations during judicial recovery.
However, the judge has kept the freeze on that credit line, questioning financial projections and requesting further clarification before making a decision.
📊 What about the standings?
Vasco are languishing in second-to-last place with just 22 points and need to start winning again to avoid getting into even deeper trouble in the relegation battle.
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Cruzeiro, meanwhile, sit fifth in the table with 39 points and are chasing a fifth straight league win to break into the top four.
+ See Vasco and Cruzeiro’s lineups here
Both teams are involved in the Copa do Brasil quarterfinals.
In the first leg, the Cruz-Maltino beat Vitória 1-0 at São Januário and will play for a draw at Barradão next Wednesday (2) to reach the semifinals.
A Raposa, meanwhile, drew 1-1 with Atlético-MG in the first leg and will need to beat their rivals at Arena MRV next Tuesday (1) to advance.
Featured photo: Reproduction/Social Media/X Renan Moura
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
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