A new head of Brazilian soccer took over on Tuesday, vowing to make as few changes as possible, despite an often controversial reign by predecessor Ricardo Teixeira.
Career politician Jose Maria Marin praised the “stupendous” work of Teixeira, who stepped down on Monday for health reasons after 23 years at the helm.
“His administration was a model to be followed,” Marin said. “Brazilian football is respected around the world because of his work.”
Teixeira revamped the federation during his time in charge, but he was also accused of corruption and irregularities in his administration.
Marin also attracted unwanted headlines when he was captured by TV cameras putting a winner’s medal in his pocket at a local championship earlier this year.
Marin was never accused of any wrongdoing by organizers and said the medal was given to him, but a player left the ceremony without one, receiving it only a few days later. It happened during the traditional Copa Sao Paulo under-18 tournament in January.
“I consider the whole thing a joke,” Marin said. “It was a courtesy I received from the [local] federation, in front of everybody.”
Marin took over as president as he was the Brazilian soccer federation’s oldest vice president. His term will end in late 2014, after Brazil hosts the World Cup.
He said he would be “open to dialogue” with the federal government to make sure that the country’s preparations for the tournament stay on track.
“The Brazilian federation has to show that it is working to help Brazil host a great World Cup,” he said.
However, Marin’s appointment was not universally popular. Several state federations were against him taking over and some clubs are reportedly teaming up to try to change the federation’s statutes so a new successor is picked.
“We need change,” Atletico Paranaense president Mario Celso Petraglia told local media.
Corinthians player Paulo Andre added: “It means nothing to change the president, but keep the mentality and the administration model of the CBF. We need new ideas.”
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