Liga Forte União (LFU)

Brazilian football giants Corinthians is said to be closing in on an agreement to join the Liga Forte União (LFU) collective, in what would represent a major financial blow to the rival Libra body.

The dream of a unified, centralised Brasileirão will have to wait until 2030 at the earliest as years of public pettiness between clubs, meetings about meetings and arguments over small amounts of money have resulted in another resounding victory for Brazil’s biggest media group, Globo.

A broadcast rights deal between Brazil's biggest football clubs and Globo is reported to contain clauses that limit the amount the broadcaster can pay for the rights of other clubs - a stipulation that would preserve the financial status quo in Brazilian football.