The Brazilian national football team has been picked by its commercial partners since 2006 with only players who are 'marketable' enough called up, according to astonishing allegations in a Sao Paulo newspaper.

Estadao claim to have obtained a contract agreed in 2006 between the Brazilian Football Association (CBF) and a firm called ISE, who are based in the Cayman Islands and don't have any employees.

The firm is a front for a Saudi Arabian company called Dallah Al-Baraka, who have investments in finance, healthcare, banking, transport, manufacturing and other industries.

The Brazil national team is selected by its commercial partners, according to the bombshell revelations

The document states that only the Brazilian team's commercial partners can decide who plays for the national team in international fixtures, suggesting the manager and coaching staff have little or no say.

It also claims the CBF must make requests to ISE if they want to call-up a new player and this is only sanctioned if he has 'an equal marketing value.'

Certain players chosen by ISE must start in every game, while the CBF must supply ISE with a medical report to prove a player is genuinely injured.

Initially a 10-year arrangement signed in 2006, it was renewed four years ago by the former CBF President Ricardo Teixeira.

If the bombshell claims are true, Brazilian football will be rocked to the core as it suggests that Dunga, Mano Menezes and Luis Felipe Scolari, the team's managers since 2006, did not have the final call on team selection.

The reports claim a group of elite Brazilian players must feature in every international match

Brazil fans will no doubt be astonished by the claims if they turn out to be correct

An elite group of players have to feature in every match, with article 9.1 of the contract reading: 'The CBF will ensure and guarantee that these players who are playing in official competitions participate in any and every match.'

Any breach of this arrangement resulted in the commercial partners paying only half the agreed match fee of £660,000 ($1.05m).

One example of this came in November 2011 when Brazil played Egypt in a Doha friendly and coach Menezes did not pick Neymar, Kaka, Leandro Damiao and other leading names, leading to a fine.

In the event of one of these elite players being injured, the CBF would have to send ISE a medical certificate and agree on a suitable replacement.

Dunga, a World Cup winner with Brazil in 1994, is the current manager of the national side

The alleged clause states: 'Any changes to the list shall be communicated in writing to ISE and confirmed by mutual agreement.

'In this case, the CBF will endeavour to replace with new players of a similar level, with respect to marketing value, technical skill and reputation.'

In addition, the contract states all broadcast rights and copyright are signed over in full to ISE with any violation resulting in a fine of £630,000 ($1m).