Richarlison's season is turning into a nightmare, both on and off the pitch. After being dropped from Tottenham's Premier League squad, the Brazilian forward has found himself at the centre of a controversy involving Flávio Bolsonaro, the far-right candidate for the Brazilian presidency. The player claims he has lost the rights to an island he had bought in a private deal and is objecting to its transfer to a company linked to Willer Tomaz, a lawyer close to the Brazilian politician.
The case is related to Ilha Comprida, in the Angra dos Reis area, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, and has taken on particular importance due to the proximity of the presidential elections: Richarlison has chosen to publicly tell his version, publishing on social networks a video in which he presents documents and reconstructs the stages of the real estate transaction.
Richarlison issues purchase documents
The footballer claims to have purchased the rights to use the area in October 2020, investing a total of around 10 million Brazilian reais, equivalent to around 1.6 million euros according to the initial estimate: the amount includes payments to previous users, renovation works and expenses to protect the property from unauthorized entry. "Now I will show you the documents that prove that I bought the island," Richarlison declared in the video, claiming that the transaction was carried out regularly and was subject to judicial review in Rio de Janeiro.
At the heart of the protest is the subsequent transfer of rights to a company linked to Willer Tomaz. According to the attacker's account, there was initially interest in purchasing the island, but after his refusal, the situation changed, to the point that the matter ended in a legal dispute.
Richarlison is particularly critical of the speed with which the procedure is allegedly handled in favor of the other group. The Brazilian says he waited almost a year to receive a response from the Secretariat of Federal Property, the body responsible for regulating the use of land belonging to the state. This leads him to question the varying lengths of bureaucratic procedures: why, in his opinion, do some citizens have to wait months, while other requests are resolved much more quickly?
The player said that in April he had tried to contact Flávio Bolsonaro to find a solution, but had not received a response. He is now demanding that his property rights be restored and says he is ready to continue the battle with the competent institutions.
Refutations and denunciation to the Federal Prosecutor's Office
Richarlison's allegations have been dismissed by Bolsonaro, who has called the player's claims false and denied any wrongdoing. Tomaz also claims to have legally acquired the rights to the land and is said to have paid around 5 million reais to settle previous tax debts. It is important to clarify that the dispute relates to the rights to use and exploit federal land, not to private ownership of the island in the traditional sense. The documents presented by the player constitute the elements on which he bases his claims, but do not constitute, in themselves, a final decision on the legality of the contested transfers.
The case has also attracted the attention of the Brazilian Federal Prosecutor's Office. The Derrubando Muros collective has filed a complaint, requesting verification of possible irregularities in the transfer of rights and the possible existence of favoritism. However, the request for an investigation does not in itself prove that criminal offenses have been committed. The case has dragged on for years and has gone through several judicial phases. Richarlison claims to have handed over to journalists and authorities a file containing contracts, invoices and conversations. His demands include the restoration of the previous situation and compensation for the damages suffered, including the demolition of a house located in the area.
The issue erupts during the election campaign
The controversy has taken on added weight as presidential elections approach, with Flávio Bolsonaro engaged in a political race against President Lula. The fame of Richarlison, one of Brazil's most popular footballers, has helped the dispute transcend the confines of sport.
The striker, who has publicly expressed his views on social and political issues in the past, has not hidden his indignation. Bolsonaro, on the other hand, has rejected the accusations, while Tomaz's position remains linked to the dispute over the rights to the area. The competent authorities will have to clarify whether the transfer was carried out regularly and whether there are elements that justify further verifications. Meanwhile, Richarlison continues to demand explanations and insists that he has proof of the purchase.
