Brazil Brings In U.S.-Style Draft For National Team Players In Women's League

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) introduced an American-style draft in Brazilian women's football "to ensure a more competitive balance in the domestic league," according to Samindra Kunti of INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL. Clubs that have qualified for the second phase of the Brazilian domestic league "were able to pick, on rotation, from players who play on a permanent basis for the Brazilian national team." The plan "is to create a more competitive league in Brazil."  CBF Coordinator of Women's Football Marco Aurélio Cunha said, "Women's football is on its way to becoming more defined and those who don't perceive its beauty will be left behind. I ask of the clubs to invest in their women's team, because it will be a good [business] opportunity." In total 20 clubs make up the Brazilian women's Serie A, "divided into four groups of five with the winners and runners up of each group progressing to the second phase, wherein two more groups of four are formed" (INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL, 9/30).