Marco Polo Lopes Pinheiro confirms Corinthians exit after clashes with president | OneFootball

Marco Polo Lopes Pinheiro has confirmed his departure as Corinthians’ director of terrestrial sports, posting a farewell message on Sunday, weeks after offering to step down.

According to Meu Timao, he clashed with president Osmar Stabile over interference in the department. Tensions grew after his absence from the futsal Supercopa Gramado trip to Rio Grande do Sul in March and the confirmation of the men’s basketball team’s closure in November last year.

Pinheiro took the role when Augusto Melo became president. Despite Melo’s impeachment, he was the only director retained for Stabile’s administration, which assumed control in August last year.

In his post he thanked the club, said he worked with seriousness, dedication and respect, and highlighted collective progress on important projects in the unpaid statutory role.

He also said he will become operations manager at the Mercado Livre Arena Pacaembu. Ricardo Sena, the deputy overseeing the associative area, will succeed him, though he is not yet listed on the club’s website.

Corinthians’ terrestrial sports department covers more than 50 disciplines, notably futsal and men’s basketball, and includes numerous competitive teams, sport schools and internal activities such as the Campeonato Interno de Futebol Associativo, Cifac.

Source: Meu Timao