Middle-aged man with a beard and short hair wears a black polo and has a garment over his shoulder in a sports stadium. — Augusto Melo was dismissed from Corinthians | La Derecha Diario

Camara — Augusto Melo was dismissed from Corinthians | La Derecha Diario

Scandal in Brazil: Corinthians members permanently remove their president

Augusto Melo was removed by majority vote while an investigation is underway into alleged embezzlement of funds to a criminal organization

10/08/2025 12:45:00h

Editorial Team

Yesterday, Corinthians members voted overwhelmingly in favor of removing the club president, Augusto Melo, who was accused of corruption, according to an official statement released by the club. In a closed-door session, 69% of the votes supported Melo's permanent removal (1,413 in favor, 620 against).

Melo had been provisionally suspended in May after the São Paulo Civil Police accused him of alleged irregularities in a sponsorship contract with the digital betting company "Vai de Bet". The investigation revealed that part of the money received was transferred to a company linked to the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), the largest criminal organization in Brazil. The executive denied the accusations at all times.

Image divided into two parts: on the left, a yellow background with the word VAIDEBET in black letters, and on the right, a group of people on a structure holding a white banner with the words PCC peace justice and freedom.

Melo may have diverted sponsorship money to the PCC | La Derecha Diario

Meanwhile, last month, the São Paulo judiciary indicted Melo and other former executives for criminal association, money laundering, and theft, after accepting the complaint from the Public Prosecutor's Office.

Additionally, the agency is demanding that Melo and the other defendants compensate the club with about R$40 million, equivalent to approximately 7.2 million dollars.

Melo and other executives must pay 7.2 million dollars | La Derecha Diario

With the removal, First Vice President Osmar Stábile will assume the presidency on an interim basis until the Deliberative Council calls elections to choose the successor who will complete the current term until 2026.

As a side note, Melo had to leave the club before the official confirmation accompanied by security, since he couldn't use his car to leave because all four wheels had been stolen.

➡️ Argentina