John Textor’s latest comments to Globo Esporte underline that, despite selling his stake in Crystal Palace earlier this year and rumours of investing elsewhere, he has no plans to walk away from Botafogo. 

The American businessman has faced increasing scrutiny over his financial links with Nottingham Forest and Lyon. He’s now said he intends to remain involved with the Brazilian club “until I die”.

Textor was responding to rumours about internal disputes at Botafogo following reports of an alleged meeting between representatives of Eagle Football and the investment firm Ares, which helped finance his Lyon takeover. 

He firmly denied the speculation, saying he remains the controlling figure within the Eagle Football structure and that there is “no fight for control” with the club’s social members.

“João Paulo [Magalhães Lins] runs the social club, they have 10% of Botafogo and are always welcome to contribute, but Eagle Football owns 90%,” Textor explained. “We are not Vasco, this is not 777. We have good shareholders and strong governance. There’s no need for change.”

The dig at local rivals Vasco da Gama referred to the turmoil involving 777 Partners. That’s the Miami-based investment group that once controlled the Rio de...