Crisis in Corinthians: scandal, removal, invasion, protest and political power at stake

0

The turbulence that haunts the backstage of Corinthians since the end of 2023 has gained even more serious contours in 2025. The club, which already faced financial problems, now lives an unprecedented institutional crisis, marked by criminal complaints, removal from the presidency, fans and internal crack among counselors.

What seemed to be one of the biggest management of management has become the starting point for the worst Corinthians crisis in recent years. In December 2023, the club signed with a master sponsor, as the largest sponsorship contract in the history of Brazilian football: R $ 360 million.

José Manoel Idalgo/ Corinthians Agency

Just over a year later, what was a source of pride became a police case. The São Paulo Civil Police began to investigate the contract for money laundering, criminal association and qualified theft. According to the investigators, part of the amount would have been diverted by intermediaries linked to members of the Alvinegra Board.

Augusto Melo is removed after indictment

With internal pressure and increasingly consistent evidence, the president became the main target of the crisis. In May 2025, after debates and requests from, Melo was removed from office by a large majority of counselors. The deputy, Osmar Stábile, took over the club’s command.

The political environment in Parque São Jorge was even more unstable with maneuvers behind the scenes, disputes for the control of the council and the removal of Romeu Tuma Júnior, accused of acting biased in internal decisions. On the next 9th the club votes.

Assembly/Reproduction Augusto Melo and Romeu Tuma Jr

Augusto tries to blow

Augusto Melo, remote president and allies went to the club’s headquarters on June 3 to try to resume power and even invaded the interim president’s room, Osmar Stábile. However, without success. Even was next to Melo, Dayane Barossi, who several times prevented this portal from frequenting the outskirts of Parque São Jorge.

The confusion ended with intervention by the Military Police and police reports opened by both parties, who claimed threats and incitement to violence.

Fans invades headquarters and requires revolution in the statute

The crowd revolt won a news on July 3. About 500 fans, representing faithful hawks, shirt 12, pavilion nine, fiel fuse, chopp and faithful macabre ,.

They locked the gates with chains, extended tracks with the sayings “mourning! Closed by mismanagement” and disclosed a joint note calling the action “peaceful protest and act of resistance”.

Fans protested against the impeachment of Augusto Melo (reproduction)

Among the requirements of the organized are:

• Expansion of the right to vote for the members of the faithful fan in the presidential elections;
• Immediate reform of the Statute;
• Liability of the leaders that caused the club’s debt.

The Military Police were at the scene to ensure security. The demonstration lasted just over an hour and ended peacefully, but the fans made it clear: it was only the beginning of a “Corinthian revolution.”

Andrés Sanchez x Corporate Card

In the midst of the crisis, another curious fact exploded in Parque São Jorge, former Corinthians president, about the club’s corporate card invoice that came to light on social networks, with spending that exceeds $ 298,000. In an exclusive interview, he confirmed that part of the amounts was used in personal expenses during a holiday trip.

“I used the Corinthians card. It was $ 9,000,” Andrés said when asked about the veracity of the document. Among the expenses are items such as boat trip, hotel accommodation and dinner in Pipa, Rio Grande do Norte.

Andrés Sanchez talks about Ronaldo’s candidacy phenomenon to the Leodias/Reproduction Portal

MP investigates card use

Last Tuesday (29/7), O in Management and Duilio Monteiro Alves.

The procedure was instituted by the prosecutor Cassio Roberto Conseino. In addition, the MP will investigate whether there has been misappropriation and other possible crimes involving former presidents and others linked to the club.

Playback/Instagram: @Duiliomalves

Football in Check

Corinthians’ administrative and financial crisis also found direct reflexes in the cast. On July 9, Memphis Depay missed training at CT Joaquim Grava without communicating the board or coaching staff, in protest due to payment delays, the club owed about R $ 4.7 million in awards for Paulistan and imaging rights.

Reproduction/Instagram: @memphis

The next morning, he presented himself normally, justified his absence in a meeting with interim president Osmar Stábile, coach Dorival Júnior and the Fabinho Solido soccer executive, expressing a desire to stay in the club. But the case was dealt with by the board as “closed subject”, however, the episode symbolizes the institutional collapse that affects all the spheres of Corinthians.

Although he scored the goal of victory in the last classic against Palmeiras, Memphis Depay is far from unanimous in São Jorge Park. The political crisis that plagues the club can directly affect the player, and a possible departure is not ruled out. In this scenario, Corinthians cross one of the most delicate moments in their history, and new chapters of this crisis should gain strength in the coming days.