Flamengo suffers a judicial setback in the dispute for the Soccer Ball Trophy; the Rio de Janeiro Court of Justice upheld the understanding that the trophy belongs to São Paulo.
The saga surrounding the 1987 Brazilian Championship and the coveted Soccer Ball Trophy has a new chapter. Flamengo faced another unfavorable decision in the judicial sphere, as announced this Wednesday (05). The Rio de Janeiro Court of Justice (TJ-RJ) rejected a request from the Rubro-Negro club, reaffirming that the prize in question is destined for São Paulo.
Despite the recent deliberation, the Soccer Ball Trophy remains in the custody of the Caixa Econômica Federal. With this new legal stance, São Paulo now has the backing to formally request the trophy’s handover. However, Flamengo has already indicated that it does not intend to end the dispute, promising to continue fighting for the recognition of its rights.
Court Decision Reinforces São Paulo’s Possession
In analyzing Flamengo‘s appeal, Judge Fábio Uchoa Pinto de Miranda Montenegro, the case’s rapporteur at the TJ-RJ, justified the rejection by stating that the issue of the Soccer Ball Trophy had already been widely discussed and resolved in previous judicial instances. Therefore, it was not within the TJ-RJ‘s purview to reopen such a debate.
The magistrate’s decision also reiterated the established understanding that Sport is the sole champion of the 1987 Brazilian Championship. Thus, São Paulo remains recognized as the first club to meet the established criteria for receiving the historic trophy.
Flamengo’s Previous Attempt
In the week preceding the TJ-RJ decision, Flamengo had obtained a favorable opinion from the Federal Court of São Paulo. The 12th Federal Civil Court re-evaluated the case and concluded that the determination of the Soccer Ball Trophy‘s ownership was the competence of the Federal Court of Rio de Janeiro.
This deliberation allowed the trophy to remain under the custody of the Caixa Econômica Federal, awaiting the finalization of the judicial process. The Rubro-Negro expressed confidence in having its right recognized. However, the recent ruling by the TJ-RJ once again favored São Paulo.
The Complex History of the Soccer Ball Trophy
The Soccer Ball Trophy, established in 1975 by the then Brazilian Sports Confederation (CBD), was to be awarded to the first club that won three Brazilian titles consecutively or five non-consecutively. The core of the dispute lies in the validation of the 1987 champion.
Flamengo argues it met the five-title criterion with its 1992 conquest, adding the 1987 title. However, while the CBF had recognized Flamengo as the 1987 champion in 2011, the Supreme Federal Court (STF), in 2018, maintained Sport as the sole champion of that year. With this understanding from the STF, São Paulo came to be considered the first to achieve the national pentachampionship after winning the 2007 Brasileirão, solidifying its right to the Soccer Ball Trophy.
Next Steps and the Impact of the Decision
With the new opinion from the TJ-RJ, São Paulo gains strong legal backing to request the handover of the Soccer Ball Trophy. However, Flamengo, with its stance of not giving up, will certainly seek new avenues to defend its claim, prolonging one of the most complex and enduring disputes in Brazilian football.
Even though the court decision favors São Paulo, the issue continues to generate debate and reflection.
I am surprised by São Paulo’s stance in this case. The club was one of the initiators and leaders of the 1987 Brasileirão won by Flamengo; there are videos with statements from the then president of São Paulo, Carlos Miguel Aidar, acknowledging that Mengão is the champion of ’87. Therefore, São Paulo should take the trophy and give it to Flamengo. It would be a gesture of greatness from the Morumbi club.
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