Scandal in Brazilian soccer: Corinthians president was dismissed for corruption

Brazilian soccer was shaken by a major scandal: the Corinthians Deliberative Council decided to temporarily suspend the club's president, Augusto Melo, after he was accused by the police last week of engaging in acts of corruption.

The majority of the council members voted in favor of the impeachment process, enabling the first vice president, Osmar Stábile, to temporarily take over the club's leadership. His role will extend until a general assembly of members is convened, which will be responsible for confirming or overturning the dismissal.

If this decision is ratified, the Council will have to appoint a new president to complete the current term, which runs until 2026. Once that period ends, new elections will be held.

Meanwhile, Melo, who took office at the beginning of 2024, stated at a press conference prior to the vote that he wouldn't resign, even in the face of an adverse ruling by the deliberative body, and that he would "fight" to keep his position at the head of the São Paulo club.

Despite this, he adopted a more farewell-like tone as he reviewed what he considers the achievements of his administration, such as responsible financial management and the design of a strategic plan, highlighting the signing of sponsorship contracts.

It was precisely one of those contracts that put him at the center of the controversy. Last Thursday, the Civil Police of the state of São Paulo accused Melo of alleged irregularities in the agreement signed with the digital betting company Vai de Bet.

The investigation keeps that part of the funds paid by the company were diverted to a firm with ties to the PCC, the most powerful criminal organization in Brazil. Melo, meanwhile, categorically rejected these accusations.

Melo's tenure in Corinthians' management

Augusto Melo's management period at the helm of Corinthians failed to meet the fans' expectations. The sports results were modest both domestically and internationally.

Despite having achieved high-profile signings, such as Memphis Depay, these were not enough to change the course of a team that remained far from the top positions in the Brasileirão.