Official Says he Paid to Get Player on Brazil Team
The president of Brazilian club Sport announced he paid an agent to have one of his players called up to Brazil's national team for the 2001 Confederations Cup.
Luciano Bivar said Sport "hired a lobbyist to promote the image of Leomar and get him to play for the Selecao."
The defensive midfielder was called up by then coach Emerson Leao, who vehemently denied being involved in the scheme and dismissed the idea that payments were received in exchange for international caps.
Leao coached Leomar at Sport before taking over the national team.
Bivar said in interviews to Brazilian media Friday that this type of lobby "happens all the time" and that agents constantly call coaches to try to promote players.
Source: Associated Press
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