Brasília, October 6, 2025 — Brazil’s competition authority, the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE), has requested additional information and made public two ongoing investigations into the creation of the country’s new football leagues — Liga do Futebol Brasileiro (Libra) and Liga Forte União do Futebol Brasileiro (LFU).
The procedures, known as Administrative Proceedings for the Investigation of a Merger (APACs), were opened to determine whether the leagues engaged in gun jumping — implementing economic concentration acts without prior notification to CADE.
The orders, issued by Reporting Commissioner Victor Oliveira Fernandes, summon the parties and request further evidence to complete the case files. The leagues and their investors must, within five business days, submit detailed information and documents on their corporate structures, governance arrangements, and contractual relationships.
The investigations originated from complaints and inquiries conducted by CADE’s General Superintendence since 2023 concerning the collective negotiation of commercial and broadcasting rights by club associations. The authority found indications that the leagues’ joint management of clubs’ commercial rights could amount to joint ventures subject to mandatory merger notification.
Commissioner Fernandes noted that, according to information widely reported in the media, both leagues have undergone significant changes to their bylaws and contractual structures since their formation — without notifying CADE. He also pointed to recent moves toward a possible merger between Libra and LFU, reinforcing the need for further scrutiny.
CADE warned that completing a notifiable transaction without prior clearance may lead to sanctions ranging from fines to the annulment of the acts carried out.
According to Commissioner Fernandes, the lack of prior submission places the leagues’ entire contractual framework at risk of invalidation — potentially affecting clubs, investors, and the stability of commercial relations in Brazilian professional football.
Proceedings:
APAC Liga Forte União: 08700.005511/2023-37
APAC Libra: 08700.007461/2023-22
