Romario wants investigation of Brazil soccer body

Romario won the Golden Ball and World Player of the Year while helping Brazil to the 1994 World Cup title.

Victor R. Caivano/AP

Brazil great Romario wants a congressional investigation into alleged corruption at the Brazilian Football Confederation after gathering enough signatures from among fellow legislators.

Romario, a loud critic recently of the confederation, said on his internet site that in 24 hours he gathered signatures of 188 colleagues in congress in favor of forming a commission to investigate the CBF. Only 171 are needed to install a commission.

But it could take months before an investigation is approved.

Romario said the investigation should not be put off simply because Brazil was in the midst of organizing the 2014 World Cup.

In the document circulated by Romario, he wants congress to probe allegations that confederation officials have benefited financially through contracts involving the national team. He also suggests fraud may have taken place in the election of CBF President Jose Maria Marin. He succeeded Ricardo Teixeira, who resigned in March amid charges of wrongdoing.

Teixeira, who was also head of the World Cup organizing committee, and former FIFA president Joao Havelange were identified four months later by a Swiss court as having taken millions of dollars in payment from the now-defunct market agency ISL.

"We in the chamber (of deputies) will no longer allow this kind deceit of the people,'' Romario wrote.

Phone calls to the confederation by The Associated Press did not receive an immediate response.

FIFA has frequently criticized Brazil for being behind schedule in preparing for the World Cup. However, the world governing body took a softer tone last week.

FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke said it needed to be more flexible dealing with many layers of the Brazilian government, calling it the "FIFA Samba.'