On May 18, the Santos Deliberative Council (CD) will begin voting on the club’s new social statute. The proposal has stirred tensions behind the scenes at Peixe due to changes introduced by the Statute Committee, appointed by President Marcelo Teixeira.
Key points include the political rights of members and new share quotas for the club’s transformation into a SAF (Sociedade Anônima do Futebol). The voting process in the council is scheduled to continue on May 21 and 22, with possible extensions, to cover the 105 articles, which have received 89 amendments.
No sessions will be held on May 19 and 20 because Santos faces San Lorenzo at Vila Belmiro in the Copa Sudamericana, and Conmebol takes over the stadium 24 hours prior. It should be noted that if the CD approves the new statute, the body will have 30 days to schedule a General Assembly, where members will vote on whether to adopt the new regulations.
**Date and Time Spark Controversy**
A council member and critic of the changes, Matheus Cury, views the start of voting on the same day Carlo Ancelotti announces Brazil’s World Cup squad with pessimism. “I don’t know if it was a coincidence or if the goal is to draw attention away from Santos, since the media will be focused on the squad announcement. Either way, members need to stay alert,” Cury said.
Fernando Akaoui, President of the CD Board, insists it is merely a coincidence. “The squad announcement is at 5 PM and our meeting starts at 7:30 PM. The controversial topics are further down the agenda and likely won’t be deliberated on the first day,” Akaoui stated.
**Committee Backs Down on Political Rights**
One of the most sensitive issues concerns barriers to participation in the club’s political life. Cury called the initial proposal “absurd,” which would increase the membership period required to vote from three to five years, and from five to ten years to become a councilor. Under pressure and after amendments were submitted, Akaoui revealed the committee has retreated on these points.
“The committee was convinced by the arguments and accepted the amendments to maintain the current deadlines: three years to vote and five years to run for the Council,” Akaoui explained.
Regarding candidacy for the presidency, there has been a relaxation. The original requirement of three terms as a councilor has been reduced to two. “If the two-term proposal is rejected, we will vote on a one-term option, and finally, maintain the current model, which does not require a prior term,” Akaoui added.
**The Path to SAF: From 49% to 90%**
Currently, the statute limits the sale of SAF shares to 49%. The new text proposes raising this cap to 90%, aiming to attract investors who apparently avoid the club because they cannot gain majority control. “Santos has not received SAF proposals because interested parties could not acquire more than 49%. With the new statute, the investor would hold up to 90% of the controlling stake, which does not force the club to sell everything, but opens up negotiation margins,” Akaoui said.
**Early Elections in October?**
If the statute is approved by the Council and the General Assembly, the December elections could be moved up to October. The goal is to avoid chaotic transitions like those in previous administrations. “Many former presidents complain about the short time to plan for the following year. They had practically 15 days for documents and strategic planning. The October proposal gives the elected candidate more time to work on the first year of management,” Akaoui explained.
If the new statute is rejected, the election will proceed in early December.