Corinthians board president sees no issue with Andrés joining meeting | OneFootball

The president of the Deliberative Council of Corinthians, Romeu Tuma Junior, said on Thursday that he does not see the presence of Andrés Sanchez at a club meeting with the Federal Savings Bank as a problem.

The participation of the former president in the meeting with Caixa executives was poorly received by the fans, generating criticism of Osmar Stabile. Romeu, however, defended the presence of people who have knowledge of the situation.

“I don't see a problem. If we have to find solutions to serious problems, we have to look for people who have a history in this situation, knowledge, who were part of the problem. In all situations. We are talking about Caixa, who was in power when the agreement was made was him. He is responsible. If you can negotiate with Caixa, call the guy who has a history to help. The problem with Caixa today is a priority for Corinthians. The Gaviões organized the crowdfunding, it was very important. I don't see a problem in this sense. He is a counselor, former president and member of Cori. Everyone who is here has to try to help”, Tuma said in an interview with Meu Timão.

Political group criticizes

The chapa 82, Movimento Corinthians Grande, which Armando Mendonça and Rozallah Santoro are part of, spoke out against the presence of Andrés Sanchez at the meeting. Romeu Tuma, on the other hand, believes that the positioning has to do with the presidential election next year.

“We have the opinion of the fans, we follow. The criticisms are legitimate. We have the opinion of internal movements within the club. The opinions of the political groups are already thinking about the election next year. All the manifestations about this episode are placements to move the election, which is very bad, because we are in a difficult moment. We should join forces to help Corinthians. We are seeing people seeking popular support to reposition themselves in the election next year. The Movimento Corinthians Grande has half of the administration today”, said the president of the Council.

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Why did Andrés participate in the meeting?

Gazeta Esportiva found out why Andrés Sanchez participated in the meeting. There are two reasons that help explain the presence of the former director at the meeting.

The first and main one was a request from Caixa representatives. According to information obtained by the report, people linked to the financial institution, who participate in the negotiations, requested the presence of Andrés, since he was present in the talks from the beginning and has a good relationship with the state bank.

He is seen by these people, therefore, as a figure of trust to deal with the matter.

In addition, Andrés says in the background that he has no intention of participating in Corinthians politics or occupying any position in the club's board. He, however, will not deny help. In this case, as he was invited by Stabile, he agreed to participate in the meeting.

Stabile in crossroads

The situation, according to the report, left Osmar Stabile in a crossroads. The president initially did not plan the presence of Andrés, but the request for his participation put him in a difficult situation.

As Stabile would like to proceed with the case and could find difficulties in advancing in the renegotiation without meeting the request, he gave in, although he was aware that the presence of the former president would yield him rejection from the fans and internal pressure.

(Photo: Corinthians Agency)

On Wednesday, for example, leaders of Gaviões da Fiel went to Parque São Jorge to ask for explanations from the president, but Stabile was not at the location. He, however, called the uniformed fans and scheduled a meeting for this Thursday.

Investigated by the Public Prosecutor's Office

One of the reasons that lead Andrés to have such a rejection from the fans is the fact that he is being investigated by the Public Prosecutor's Office of São Paulo (MP-SP) for alleged improper use of corporate cards of Corinthians. The case is also being investigated internally, by the club's Justice Commission.

In early July, Andrés admitted to using the card improperly for personal expenses in Tibau do Sul, Rio Grande do Norte, at the end of his last term, in 2020.

Days after the revelation of the expenses, he reimbursed Corinthians with interest and monetary correction. However, this did not free the former president from answering a disciplinary process in the club's Ethics and Discipline Commission. The fans demand penalties and even expulsion of Andrés.

Understand the negotiation

Corinthians understands that the current agreement with Caixa is detrimental to the club due to the high interest rate. Therefore, Timão tries to reduce the rate practically by half.

The current contract adopts the rate Selic+2%, totaling almost 18%. Corinthians wants to change the contract to the model linked to the IPCA (Broad National Consumer Price Index), which would reduce the numbers to 9%.

(Photo: Evander Portilho/Corinthians Agency)

Millionaire debt

Currently, Corinthians' debt for the construction of the Neo Química Arena is estimated at R$ 675 million.

The pending amount has already exceeded R$ 700 million, but fell thanks to the ‘crowdfunding’ established by Gaviões da Fiel, the club's main organized fan base. The project has already raised more than R$ 40 million.

Recently, the president of the club's Deliberative Council, Romeu Tuma Junior, caused controversy by suggesting in a press conference that the team suspend the transfers while there was no agreement with Caixa. The Osmar Stabile administration, however, does not intend to adopt any measure without the consent of the financial institution.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.