CBF Chief Denies Using Soccer Funds for Romantic Getaways

​RIO DE JANEIRO — The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has been plunged into turmoil following explosive allegations that its president, Samir Xaud, leveraged federation funds to finance lavish international travel and luxury accommodation for women with whom he was romantically involved.

​The governing body has fiercely rejected the claims, mounting a firm defense of its financial integrity as a major governance scandal looms over Brazilian soccer.

​A High-Flying Itinerary Under Scrutiny

​The controversy erupted after reports published by Brazilian media outlet Portal Léo Dias detailed a complex and highly expensive travel itinerary. According to the reports, Xaud allegedly used CBF accounts to fly fitness entrepreneur Camila Cristina Andrade to New York City. Andrade reportedly spent eight days at Manhattan’s upscale Hyatt Regency Grand Central on a reservation booked under Xaud’s name, accumulating a hefty bill of approximately $11,500.

​The outlet published photographs allegedly showing Xaud and Andrade dining at the exclusive Harry Cipriani restaurant on June 3, before departing in a vehicle reportedly rented by the football confederation.

​Xaud’s schedule then took a dizzying turn. He allegedly left New York to fly back to Brazil to attend a women’s national team match against the United States on June 8. Shortly after, he departed for Mexico City to reunite with his wife of over 20 years, Natalia Xaud, to attend the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup.

ADVERTISEMENT

​Pattern of Alleged Misuse

​The allegations extend beyond the recent trip to New York. Portal Léo Dias also reported that in December 2025, Xaud utilized CBF funds to fly model and influencer Tamares Fernandes Barcellos to Qatar for a FIFA Intercontinental World Cup match.

​Leaked documents obtained by the media outlet reportedly show that the federation paid nearly $3,400 for Barcellos’ stay at the Ritz-Carlton Doha, which accompanied a business-class flight on Emirates. The report further claims that since taking the helm of the CBF, Xaud has routinely tapped into the federation’s deep pockets to cover travel expenses for friends, family, and other acquaintances attending overseas sporting events.

​In a fast-moving development, the online news outlet Infobae reported that Xaud personally settled the New York hotel charges on Sunday, immediately after being contacted by investigative journalists regarding the upcoming story.

​CBF Fires Back

​The CBF moved swiftly to contain the fallout, issuing a staunch denial to Rádio Itatiaia. The federation heavily criticized the reporting and maintained that its financial operations are entirely above board.

​“The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) rejects the information regarding the alleged misuse of the entity’s funds published today by the Léo Dias portal,” the statement read. “Expenses incurred by the entity are exclusively linked to the CBF’s institutional activities, and personal expenses of its directors are covered by themselves. The current CBF administration is based on the pillars of transparency, administrative responsibility, and a commitment to integrity.”

​The confederation concluded by stating it remains fully available to provide further clarifications. Despite the official pushback, pressure is mounting on Xaud as critics demand a transparent, independent audit of the federation’s recent travel ledgers.