Palmeiras announces Abel Ferreira until 2025 in a women-only press conference – News of Brazil
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“Good afternoon everyone.” This is how the president of Palmeiras, Leila Pereira, addressed the audience of journalists this Tuesday (16), in the director’s first press conference of the year, called only for women. The initiative caused controversy, with criticism and praise from journalists. Broadcasters and newspapers did not comply with the call satisfactorily: cameramen and photographers were still the majority. The reporters, on the other hand, filled the seats and heard, first hand, that the club renewed coach Abel Ferreira until 2025.
“Why only women? What do I say to these men? Don’t be hysterical. Isn’t that what they say about us when we complain?”, he said when opening the press conference. Leila said she hopes the interview will be symbolic and educational. “They will feel in an hour what we women have felt since we were born. I want them to feel and for the whole of society to focus on this: we, women, do not, under any circumstances, want any privileges. We just want to have the opportunity.”, he reinforced. At the end of the interview, she asked that this moment be a warning for communication companies to send more women to sports coverage.
Among the questions of the day, the forecast of reinforcements for Palmeiras, the renewal of sponsorships, problems with the schedules of shows contracted for the club’s stadium and elitism in access to games. But also investments in the women’s category, the meaning of Palmeiras being the only club to have a president and the fight against machismo in sport. “Maybe I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t just an agenda for women, such a special day”said reporter Patricia Lopes, correspondent for Bein Sports, a subscription broadcaster on the Al Jazeera network, before questioning the manager about hiring.
Renewal and sponsorships
The main announcement of the press conference was the renewal of coach Abel Ferreira. The coach started at the club in November 2020 and, since then, has won nine titles at the helm of the team. Among them are: two Libertadores, in 2020 and 2021; two Brazilian championships, in 2022 and 2023; and the Copa do Brasil, in 2020. “As you know, the contract would run until December 2024, and that was a very big desire of mine, to keep such a winning coach. I think it’s great news for our fans, for the institution and for Abel too”announced Leila Pereira.
She was also asked about her own position at the club, considering that her mandate, which began at the end of 2021, ends this year. One of the main criticisms of her management is the fact that she holds the presidency of Palmeiras and also owns, together with her husband José Roberto Lamacchia, Crefisa and FAM, the club’s main sponsors. Leila explained that the companies have been sponsors since 2015 and that she intends to open competition for sponsorship this year, considering that the contract will end.
“During this year we are going to hold a competition and, if Crefisa or FAM are interested in covering these proposals, the person who will decide will not be Leila. Because this year is still my mandate, but in November we will have an election. I don’t know if I’ll be re-elected, I’m a candidate”, pointed. The director also said that she will submit the decision to the club’s Guidance and Supervisory Board.
Leila, who is the only president of a series A and B football club in Brazil, was asked about other actions by Palmeiras to promote gender equality. “In women’s football, every year, we are improving our structure, we are improving despite all the difficulties. It is not possible to compare the amount paid for broadcasting rights, for example, in men’s football. For women, we see nothing, zero. This could even be a flag for all of us, why not? Because without investment you can’t improve as much as we need.”
The president of Palmeiras also said she recognizes the limitations of initiatives like this to overcome structural machismo. “As president of Palmeiras, I’m not going to solve it overnight or in two years when I’m in charge of Palmeiras, but rather use the strength of football to open the eyes of the world so that we can be wherever we want.”
Source: Agência Brasil
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