Legendary Brazilian footballer, Marcos Evangelista de Morais popularly known as Cafu is reportedly preparing to take legal action against his former club, AS Roma, and Qatar Airways, seeking £10 million in compensation for an alleged infringement of image rights.
Cafu, a legend in the world of football, was a vital part of AS Roma’s last Serie A title-winning squad in 2001, making this dispute relevant.
The legal dispute stems from an incident in 2019 when Cafu agreed to participate in Roma’s testimonial event as part of a new sponsorship deal with Qatar Airways.
During the event, a safety video featuring Cafu was filmed and subsequently broadcast on television.
Cafu ready to sue AS Roma and Qatar airways for image rights infringement
According to multiple reports, Cafu waited over three years before deciding on suing Roma and Qatar Airways.
Cafu is said to have initially attempted to reach a payment agreement with Roma through his representatives, led by Vincenzo Aliotta. However, the negotiations progressed slowly and faced multiple delays.
In 2020, AS Roma underwent a change in ownership when James Palotta sold the club to the Friedkin family.
Allegedly, this transfer of ownership occurred before a resolution with Cafu could be reached. Despite his deep affinity for the club, the Brazilian football legend reluctantly decided to take legal action.
Cafu’s legal claim seeks approximately £10 million in damages, calculated based on the 46-month duration during which the commercial featuring his image was broadcast, as well as his usual sponsorship arrangements.
Qatar Airways had been AS Roma’s shirt sponsors from 2018 to 2021, making them a key player in the case.
Cafu at AS Roma
Cafu, who enjoyed a distinguished career, was an integral part of Roma’s success during the 2000-01 Serie A season, featuring in 37 matches across all competitions alongside legendary players like Gabriel Batistuta, Francesco Totti, and Vincenzo Montella.
Subsequently, Cafu went on to join AC Milan, where he secured another Serie A title and famously won the Champions League in 2007 by defeating Liverpool.
In addition to his club successes, Cafu was a vital part of the Brazil national team, contributing to their victories in the FIFA World Cup in 1994 and 2002.
The legal battle is set to reach its final attempt at conciliation on November 17. If a resolution cannot be reached out of court, Cafu, a two-time World Cup winner, will pursue the case in court.
Cafu iis a Brazilian football icon, a former professional player, and a captain of the Brazil national football team.
His prowess as a defender left an indelible mark on the world of football, with stints at prestigious professional clubs such as Sao Paulo, Zaragoza, Juventus, Palmeiras, Roma, and AC Milan.
This Brazilian legend’s international career spanned from 1990 to 2006, where he proudly donned the yellow jersey in 147 international matches, making him the most capped Brazilian player in history.
What sets this illustrious footballer apart is his remarkable feat of appearing in three FIFA World Cup finals – in 1994, 1998, and 2002.
Not only did he grace these global stages, but he also secured two FIFA World Cup victories in 1994 and 2002.
His contributions were instrumental in leading the Brazil team to the final of the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
