Judge Suspends President and Four Leading Members of the Aquatic Sport Confederation

10/25/2016 - 13h58

Federal judge Heraldo Garcia Vitta, of the 21st Civil Court, ruled immediate suspension for the president of the CBDA (Brazilian Aquatic Sport Federation), 78-year old Coaracy Nunes, after a allegation was brought against him last month by the Federal Public Ministry in São Paulo.

The organisation's head is accused of irresponsible administration of the governing body. Along with Nunes, several other members of the executive board were suspended: the Financial Director Sérgio Alvarenga, the Exectutive Director Ricardo de Moura, the coordinating coach for water polo Ricardo Cabral, and the Vice-President Luiz Soares.

The judge rules they were guilty of fraudulent use of the federal budget assigned to buy sportswear, in 2014, for athletes who would compete in the Rio games. The embezzle funds would be the equivalent of R$1.5 million (US$ 480,000) today.

The judge also stipulated that the Minister of Sport, Leonardo Picciani (PMDB-RJ), should seek "an appropriate professional, from, if possible, another sporting body to take over the administrative and leadership roles at the CBDA."

When asked to give a statement by Folha, Nunas said that the decision was "absurd", and a "farce". "This is completely absurd. How can a judge suspend somebody who has done nothing wrong? I didn't steal!" he said.

"They have no proof. My name is being besmirched. Tomorrow [this Tuesday 25] I'm going to the CBDA. I will take all appropriate action to see that this decision is overruled and justice is done," he said.

Translated by GILLIAN SOPHIE HARRIS

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