Corinthians football club internal crisis

Internal political and administrative instability at the Corinthians football club has escalated from disciplinary actions to public demonstrations.

In early August, the club’s Deliberative Council expelled associate Marcelo Mariano following accusations related to the ‘Vai de Bet’ case. During this period of tension, journalist Paulinho reported being physically assaulted by Alexandre Domênico, president of the Gaviões da Fiel supporters' group, at the club’s headquarters.

By mid-August, the crisis expanded into the public sphere as supporters, including the Gaviões da Fiel, organized a protest in central São Paulo. The demonstrators gathered at the São Paulo Public Prosecutor's Office to demand judicial intervention to address the club’s ongoing political, financial, and administrative issues. Prosecutors confirmed that an investigation into potential judicial intervention is underway, noting that while the protests serve as a “thermometer” of social impact, the inquiry remains a technical process.

On August 19, the legal and financial pressures on the club intensified. The Labor Court of São Paulo ordered Corinthians to pay nearly R$ 3 million in compensation to a former player who suffered a permanent knee injury during a U-20 match in 2020. This ruling includes R$ 2.2 million for material damages and R$ 200,000 for moral damages, alongside payments regarding missing insurance and job security guarantees. Simultaneously, the Public Prosecutor's Office of São Paulo (MP-SP) confirmed that prosecutors Luiz Ambra Neto and André Pascoal are conducting an initial civil inquiry to gather evidence regarding the club’s administrative situation.