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[Androgynous]

Indeed it is. It's not only about reducing the number of games in the season, but also about sorting out payments to the players, improving the schedule for the lower leagues and youth system everywhere in Brazil.
Also the television system makes them play on weekdays around 22 p.m because that's when the soap opera is over at Globo, who owns the right of broadcast, as well on 4 p.m on the summer when it's hitting 40º and the sun is kicking the crap out of them. IIRC they did get some answer for that, in saying that they'll try to move the games on the summer to a more friendly time, but only for the Serie A. Like if the Serie B players aren't human as well... and they even have less resources to cope with burned out players.
Those movements are happening everywhere and the players, who together created the Bom Senso F.C (which translates roughly into Good Sense Football Club), are trying to get their requests at least answered by the CBF and Globo, but they seem to be deaf.

For now its mostly a movement from the Serie A and B players, since it's hard to get in touch with the lower and unknown players from everywhere in Brazil. But Paulo Andre, defender of Corinthians and of the leaders of the movement, has said he's been getting lots of support from Europe as well, he said that Kaka and Robinho are both encouraging him with the initiative.

It will be hard to get all the changes they want, but it was about time for the players to group together and ask for some changes, and if they get one of their requests it will be already a great improvement. It is quite a mess what happens over here, since we all only get to know the "Good" in Sao Paulo, Rio, Minas and CBF doesn't seen to give a damn about the others, unless it affects the national team, then they start moving.

[ACMILAN1983]

Thanks for that Androgynous, it's a really insightful post, are you Brazilian?

I have heard about this in the detail you've mentioned on World Football Phone In, where Tim Vickery (BBC South American football expert) regularly speaks about the issue. He also mentioned that the players are trying to make change, but the change will seriously take place (at least with the schedule) when the clubs start acting as well. Apparently the state championships are where the high number of games come from, as big teams end up facing many essentially amateur teams and it comes without benefit to them.

I would really appreciate it if you could keep us posted on this, as you clearly know a lot about the topic.

[Androgynous]

Yes I am, and I'll try to keep you guys updated on it.

Latest news are that the league may go on strike this weekend as Náutico, a club with more than 100 years of age (20th - already relegated) is on a crisis as it seems only half of the squad got paid.

Yesterday the players from Nautico gave an interview where they said about all the problems at the club, where players injured weren't getting paid so they had to rush their recoveries to get their salaries. Also they've given the owners of the club until Today to solve the delayed payments.
Plus there were lots of weird stuff happening all over the year, like when they released the uruguayan Oliveira and did not pay the release clause plus prohibiting him from entering the stadium. That was so weird that they even inspectioned the other player's cars when they arrived at the stadium.

The president though hit back at Martinez, who was the spokesperson on thursday, calling him a "former player" and that the players should just play and not interfere with the management of the club. He also said that if there's a strike, he'll send the u-15... (he was pisseeeeeed off as you can see )

The Bom Senso is allegedly informed of the whole thing and has sent a warning that if the Nautico situation is not solved, the Serie A will stop on the weekend.

Btw, Nautico is getting all the headlines atm, but that problem happens everywhere all the time. Botafogo also did not pay salaries a few months ago, which made the players, with Seedorf as their leader, complain in public and finally solving the situation. Vasco is the same thing, Parana (serie B)...

Edit: Here is one phrase from the president of Nautico that is really laughable:

Some players think that Good Sense (speaking of Bom Senso F.C) will prevail and rule brazilian football, but it won't happen!

[ACMILAN1983]

Thanks for the info. I hoped to reply sooner, but with all the mess in Milan right now, have struggled to find time. Did the strike end up going through?

Also did the Nautico players get paid? The deadline was the day you posted right?

[Androgynous]

Sorry for the long delay in the reply, been a busy week, but now I found some quick time

The strike did not go through as the Nautico players managed a deal with their chief executive as they ought to be paid until Dec, 9.
Since then, not much has happened as the World Cup draw has taken the attention from all that, but again the players involved are saying that their patience is running out with the long idleness of CBF and they may not appear at all for the State Championships at the start of the next season.

Bom Senso has also declared that they can't be the ones making the clubs pay what they own, but they are striving for a FFP to be implemented here in Brazil as well, while stating to the supporters that they are aware that this means lower salaries. (Some people pointed them out as lazy, rich people who just wanted a few days more of rest)

Overall it's been a mixed week with some people, like Platini, supporting their requests and the possibility of dialogue, while others are criticizing the players as lazy, rich and who don't care about the smaller clubs. — The media (especially ESPN) portrays the latter as people/directors stuck into the past, something we've been saying about Galliani in the winter mercato thread. They still think football is the same as it was 20 years ago and don't realize the whole mechanic has changed.

What's also interesting is that it seems the volleyball players are inspired by their colleagues and are starting a movement as well, this may spread for other areas, although I do not have much knowledge about what's going on with them.

That's pretty much about it, my guess is that we'll be seeing more of this after the WC draw this friday.
(btw, should this be moved for a new thread? Don't even know if we have a brazilian league thread)

[ACMILAN1983]

Oh definitely!! If a mod can move this to it's own thread (or a general Brazilian football thread) that would be great.

A question regarding the missing payments to players, isn't it possible to take this to court, as it doesn't seem they have done and while having a players union is important, this is very much a legal matter is it not?

It amazes me that anyone would say it's lazy to want to play less games. In Europe we regularly talk about the football calendar being too busy and clubs here barely play half of what players do in Brazil? Add to that the complicated logistics of actually travelling around Brazil and it becomes even more busy. Players need to play, but in football the commercial aspect is dictating too much about how often they play, as it's all about entertainment revenue rather than looking out for the player's well being. I think it's right to lower the number of games, not to make players lives easier as I think they should be working hard in training and spending time to study in preparation for matches. What I mean is that more games takes a physical cost on players bodies, one which prevents them performing fully.

About those people stuck in the past, I don't know about Brazil, but if I'm correct it wasn't always an open whole country championship right? You would have teams competing in their regions and then the champions face off for the title? If that's the case then that structure makes more sense than the current one, as there'd be less travelling involved (although I assume the state championships still existed and increased number of games). It sounds like (and correct me if I'm wrong) those opposing change may lose out of tv revenue etc as there are less matches, maybe mixed with those sentimental about state championships (which I understand are pretty pointless).

Anyway, I'm interested in learning more, especially if this reaches other sports like Volleyball. We may be seeing a revolution in sports in Brazil.

[reza]

[ACMILAN1983]

Don't know what's worse, the defender or the attacker not actually looking to take advantage

[xudong]

Don't know what's worse, the defender or the attacker not actually looking to take advantage

the attacker seems too busy laughing his ass off.

[reza]