Corinthians have two men who claim to be their president. In a busy weekend at Parque São Jorge Club, Augusto Melo, removed from the presidency, tried to resume power and even announced his return. Osmar Stabile, who has interimly assumed the largest position of the association, resisted.
The movement took place on Saturday (31), at Alvinegra headquarters, in the East Zone of São Paulo. Allied of Augusto, Councilor Maria Angela de Souza Ocampos appeared with a document saying she was the new president of the Deliberative Council. She was based on an opinion from the Ethics Council for the removal of the Chairman of the Deliberative Council, Romeu Tuma Júnior.
As the document has the date of April 9, Maria Angela stated that all the later acts of Tuma were annulled, including the conduct of the impeachment vote of Melo last Monday (26). She said the ally would immediately resume “the position from which she was unduly removed.”
Then a confusion was formed in São Jorge Park. Augusto tried to resume his old chair, which Stabile did not allow. About 50 fans broke into the presidency room. Police were called to control the situation and made no detention. Stabile stated that nothing changes, that he continues normally from the presidency.
Romeu Tuma called the movement “attempted fifth category scam.” He does not recognize the opinion about his removal and says that his dismissal would have to be voted by the deliberative council itself. Tuma had been acting normally as chairman of the Council, also recognized by Augusto and his allies.
It was with Tuma presiding over the session that Corinthians counselors voted for Augusto’s impeachment, with 176 in favor of the removal and 57 against. Augustus was then removed and replaced interimly by Vice President Osmar Stabile-which was the president’s ally and broke up after the election.
By the Statute of the Association, a General Meeting of Partners must endorse impeachment. Thus, a vote was scheduled for August 9. The rite states that the president returns immediately in case the impeachment is refuted by the members. If the removal is confirmed, the counselors elect a president to complete the mandate.
According to Stabile and Tuma, it will be. According to them, despite Augusto’s onslaught on the bustling black and white weekend, the impeachment process will continue. Melo, who had warned on the day of the council vote that would “until the end” to recover his chair, insists on his attempt.
The impeachment request is based on accusations of alleged irregularities in the closing of Corinthians’s sponsorship contract with the Betting House Vaidebet. Four days before the council vote, Melo was indicted on suspicion of criminal association, qualified theft and money laundering.
The object of the investigation is precisely the agreement with the betting house and the destination of the committee’s money paid to an alleged intermediary. This investigation led the police to offer a complaint to MP-SP (Public Prosecutor of São Paulo). Melo denies irregularities and states that the indictment took place “prematurely, illegal and devoid of just cause”.
