When Carlo Ancelotti left Real Madrid, he had already been announced as the new Brazil coach. With the Italian's time in charge of Los Blancos coming to an end and both sides planning for the future at the end of April, a rather unusual situation occurred.

Despite silence from the club and denials from Ancelotti himself, the Italian coach was in talks with Brazil to take over the national team, while Real Madrid had contacted Xabi Alonso as a possible replacement. At the time, Brazil were on a "sedation" campaign, and intermediary Diego Fernandes was a constant presence at the Santiago Bernab?u.

Fernandes, a Brazilian businessman close to the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) but with no official role, was in Madrid to broker a deal between Ancelotti and Brazil. When the deal was finalised, Fernandes was photographed with Ancelotti, and was cited by renowned transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano as the person ?handling the negotiations?.

As the newspaper "Sport" explains, FIFA has opened an investigation into this deal and has demanded explanations from the CBF about the commission of 1.2 million euros paid to Fernandes. The Catalan daily explains that Fernandes was contracted by the CBF and his name is mentioned in Ancelotti's contract.

The main problem is that Fernandes is not a registered agent with FIFA, and therefore had no right to negotiate with Ancelotti on behalf of Brazil.

"Sport" cites information from "UOL Esporte", according to which FIFA has requested explanations from the CBF by June 4 - one day before Ancelotti's debut with Brazil against Ecuador.

On the pitch, Ancelotti faces a tough start. Brazil play away in Quito against Ecuador, and then host Paraguay next week. Ecuador holds second place in the South American qualifying table and has lost just two games. Paraguay, meanwhile, are just one place behind Brazil and on the same points. They have not lost under current coach Gustavo Alfaro, beating Argentina in November. Ancelotti has just one year to prepare Brazil to be a contender for next summer's World Cup. (Express)

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