World Football: A Tale Of Two Suitcases

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: November 16, 2010

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Once upon a time in the land of football….

The scene is a five star hotel of a Brazilian capital on the eve of the penultimate round of the Brazilian Championship of 2009. The elevator door opens. Wearing slippers and the training uniform of a Brazilian Serie A club, a player walks into the hall. A stranger waves to him.

They both discreetly greet each other and walk to the lobby bar. Instead of a cold beer or soft drink, what they ask for is privacy. Ah well, maybe hot coffee without sugar and then straight to the point, "Where it is?" the player asks.

"Here," the intermediate informs, opening the zipper of a small rucksack.

The contents are met with a look of approval. Five minutes later the player goes back towards his room empty-handed but with a head full of ideas.

He needs to inform his teammates that a draw on the following day is really worth it. A draw is now worth $7K to each player. Their team is mid-table not in the running for the Libertadores and not in any danger of relegation. A deal is made and the “white suitcase” presented.

A  Brazilian football myth or a reality?—much is said in secret, little on the surface. "The suitcase man," however, is far from being a fictional personality. Some managers deny it outright, others break off the conversation—almost all look to the side when asked about it.

The players tend to talk much more. Luan, of the Palmeiras, says that the white suitcase is a reality, and many times the negotiation is carried out between players. William of Corinthians, in turn, considers it normal, like a bonus.

Last year, Val Baiano and Renê of Barueri (now, Gremio Prudente) were both sacked for having said that the team received a white suitcase to face the Flamengo—Barueri won that game 2 nil.

But, who is the “white suitcase man” and how does it all work?

G...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football

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