Santos FC faces three‑month delay in player image‑rights payments, sparking tension

Santos FC confirmed that payments for image rights to a large part of its professional men’s squad are three months overdue. The club told players a definitive payment plan would be presented by the end of July, with a deadline of July 31 for the proposal. A sharp meeting was held between the board and the players on July 19, after athletes delayed training to demand a response from club president Marcelo Teixeira.

The financial strain has led to legal action, most notably the recent contract termination and lawsuit by striker Tiquinho Soares. The club also faces a FIFA transfer ban imposed in early July over a debt to Monaco for the signing of midfielder Jean Lucas, preventing new signings while the debt, reported at roughly R$ 1.09 billion with R$ 470 million due within a year, remains unresolved. The situation coincides with upcoming fixtures in the Brazilian league and the Copa Sudamericana against Venezuela’s UCV.