Cash-strapped Brazilian players want to get back on the pitch

Welcome back to the Brazil Sports newsletter. Football players have come out in favor of bringing back the sport during the pandemic, but mostly for financial reasons. Also, two ex-footballers fight about politics, reminding us how rare it is to see any form of political activism in Brazilian football. Enjoy your read!

Brazilian athletes want to get back to work

As leagues in Europe discuss a potential return for football, it would appear Brazil is far from being able to bring back the beautiful game, as its Covid-19 curve continues to rise. While this hasn’t stopped some state associations and the federal government trying to schedule a return to play as soon as possible, there is far too much uncertainty among fans and players regarding how football can safely be played during the pandemic.

Message from the players. From the players’ point of view, however, the bottom line is that they want to get back on the pitch. In a video released by players’ union Fenapaf, 16 top-flight footballers delivered a message stating they are in favor of returning, but only if they can guarantee their own safety. Beyond their professionalism and “love for the game,” the statement touched on the important point that for many of Brazil’s players, the will to return to playing is a financial necessity. “Most of us only work three months a year, 95 percent earn less than twice the minimum wage,” said...