Santos, the "fabled Brazilian club" which gave the world Pele, Robinho and Neymar, is "facing an uncertain future after mounting financial problems prompted several top players to leave," according to Andrew Downie of REUTERS.
Unpaid wages, lack of a main shirt sponsor and low crowds "have left one of the world's most famous clubs in a precarious situation." Brazilian midfielder Arouca and Chilean full back Eugenio Mena "left the club this week after going to court to abrogate their contracts following non-payment of wages." The club issued a statement saying it had "come up with two months of back pay, but it was too late for some players who had not received wages since September and did not get their Christmas bonus or image rights." Robinho, who is back at Santos on loan from AC Milan, said, "Everyone has to look after their own rights." Santos "splashed out to keep Neymar and the star-studded squad that won them the Libertadores Cup" in '11. But like most Brazilian sides "they were living way beyond their means." The financial meltdown "is particularly alarming given Santos's reputation as a well-run club who regularly produce talented youngsters." Most famously, Neymar headed to Barcelona for €86M, "although the player and his agent father got most of the money."
Lance! columnist Guilherme Gomes Pinto wrote,
"It's been one error after another" (REUTERS, 1/15).
