Vasco da Gama members approve sale of 90% of SAF to Marcos Lamacchia group

Members of the Vasco da Gama football club have officially approved the sale of 90% of its Sociedade Anônima do Futebol (SAF) to Almirante Participações, a company controlled by businessman Marcos Lamacchia. The decision was reached during an Extraordinary General Assembly with a 90.6% approval rate, consisting of 4,675 votes in favor and 437 against.

The deal includes a statutory change to reduce the club's minimum required stake in the SAF from 20% to 10%. The agreement stipulates a minimum investment of R$ 500 million over five years for football operations, alongside additional funds for infrastructure, youth categories, and debt coverage. Club president Pedrinho stated that the transaction is a decisive step toward resolving the institution's long-standing financial difficulties.

Despite the internal approval, the transaction remains subject to regulatory oversight. The National Agency for Regulation and Sustainability of Football (ANRESF) is investigating potential conflicts of interest, noting that Lamacchia is the stepson of Palmeiras president Leila Pereira. Additionally, the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (Cade) has opened a confidential inquiry into the potential transfer of control and prior interference by the investor group.