FIFA Fines Botafogo for Breach of Thiago Almada Transfer Agreement

FIFA has fined Brazilian club Botafogo for breaching the payment terms in Thiago Almada’s transfer to Atlanta United. The deal, agreed in June 2024, was valued at $21 million with quarterly installments over four years. However, Botafogo failed to pay $10 million and now faces a €130,000 fine imposed by football’s governing body.

Atlanta filed a complaint citing contractual violations, including claims that Almada was forced to forfeit his share of future transfer fees—a common right under MLS rules. Botafogo argues that $2.3 million should be deducted from the first payment and says it is owed $700,000 by MLS over Caio Alexandre’s transfer.

While the deal remains in place, Botafogo must pay the full amount as FIFA reviews the case. Meanwhile, club owner John Textor is under scrutiny for allegedly diverting €55 million in funds from Botafogo—after their 2024 Copa Libertadores win—to rescue Olympique Lyon, another of his clubs, which was drowning in €175 million debt.

Amid a turbulent year both on and off the pitch, Botafogo’s instability deepened in May after it missed the application deadline for a UEFA license, threatening its participation in the 2025–26 Conference League.