Corinthians sponsorship controversy

Brazilian football club Sport Club Corinthians Paulista entered a sponsorship agreement with the adult-content platform Fatal Fans. The contract, valued at R$ 22 million through 2027 with potential extensions, involves placing the brand name on the team’s jersey and shorts for the men’s, futsal, and basketball teams.

The deal drew immediate criticism for exposing a broad audience, including women and children, to adult-oriented services. Following a complaint from Councilor Keit Lima, the São Paulo Public Ministry (MP-SP) opened a civil inquiry to investigate whether the partnership violates the rights of children and adolescents by promoting sexualization or the objectification of women.

A central focus of the investigation is whether Fatal Fans employs secure age-verification mechanisms to prevent minors from accessing the site. The MP-SP has requested the full sponsorship contract, media plans, and digital forensics to analyze the platform’s safety tools. Additionally, technical experts will examine the club’s social media channels for compliance, and the National Data Protection Authority (ANPD) has been called upon to provide information regarding the platform’s data handling and previous audits.

Political figures have also weighed in, with Senator Damares Alves condemning the partnership for treating “bodies of women as merchandise.” Alves has formally requested explanations from the Lula administration, specifically the Ministry of Human Rights and Citizenship, citing potential violations of the Statute of the Child and Adolescent.