Zona de Azar Brazil – Brazil Operation Red Card: President of the Football Federation Arrested

Brazil.- May 22, 2024 www.zonadeazar.com Yesterday, May 21, the president of the Mato Grosso do Sul Football Federation (FFMS), Francisco Cezário de Oliveira, was arrested at his residence by the Action Group Special Fight against Organized Crime (GAECO), within the framework of Operation Red Card.

The investigation focuses on the FFMS, its president and a group of individuals suspected of embezzling more than R$ 6 million from the entity.

Francisco Cezário de Oliveira, President of the Mato Grosso do Sul Football Federation

After the arrest, Cezário was transferred to CEPOL, the Specialized Police Center. Being a lawyer, he will be transferred to a military prison unit after giving testimony and being examined by the Institute of Forensic Medicine and Dentistry (IMOL).

Francisco Cezário de Oliveira led the FFMS since 1998 and also held the position of mayor of Río Negro from 2001 to 2004, accumulating both positions for one period, totaling 26 years in the direction of the federation responsible for professional football in the state.

Cezário’s defense rejects any involvement in the illegal acts indicated by GAECO.

“The client denies having committed any irregularity, much less any type of crime, and he is willing to clarify the facts that are under investigation,” said André Borges, Cezário’s lawyer.

In Vila Taveirópolis, in Campo Grande, where Cezário lives, GAECO agents carried out a search and seizure operation, in which they seized more than R$ 800 thousand in cash.

The defense assured that all legal measures will be taken in defense of Cezário.

“The defense still does not have the greatest details of this entire investigation, which will develop throughout the day. We will quickly adopt, in his name, all the defensive measures provided for in the legislation,” concluded André Borges.

He edited @_fonta www.zonadeazar.com