Due to legal complications, the championship was organized by Clube dos 13 instead of CBF, and was contested by 116 teams divided in modules, equivalent to their division—similar to the 1987 Copa União.
It started on July 29 and ended on January 18, 2001, with Vasco da Gama winning the championship—its fourth title.
But due to a decision of the Supreme Court of Sporting Justice (STJD) of removing points from São Paulo, who played against Botafogo and Internacional with an irregular player, Brasília team SE Gama was going to dispute Série B instead of Botafogo.
Gama refused the relegation and, supported by the Distrito Federal Football Coaches Trade Union and political party PFL, sued CBF requesting a return to Série A.
The end of competition was marked by disaster in São Januário, when a fence collapsed during the final of Joao Havelange Cup, injuring more than 60 football fans in Rio de Janeiro.