Corinthians Ethics Committee backs Andrés expulsion unanimously | OneFootball

By Tiago Salazar

On Monday, the Ethics and Discipline Committee of the Deliberative Council of Corinthians concluded its opinion regarding the case involving Andrés Sanchez, who is under internal investigation for personal expenses charged to the club’s card during his last term in office, between 2018 and 2020. The members of the body unanimously recommended the former president’s expulsion from Timão’s membership roster.

President of the Ethics Committee and rapporteur for the case, Leonardo Pantaleão had already suggested Andrés Sanchez’s expulsion from Corinthians in an opinion sent to the other members of the body last Wednesday. In the decision, the lawyer rebutted, point by point and on legal grounds, all the arguments presented by the former president’s defense.

The other four members of the Ethics Committee followed the rapporteur’s vote and unanimously decided to suggest Andrés Sanchez’s expulsion from the black-and-white club’s membership, according to Gazeta Esportiva.

As revealed by Gazeta Esportiva in mid-March, Andrés Sanchez waived the testimony he was entitled to give before the Ethics Committee. In legal terms, by waiving the hearing, he consented to the continuation of the investigation within the Corinthians body, which allowed the case to move forward significantly.

(Photo: Daniel Augusto Jr/Ag. Corinthians)

Next steps

With this process concluded, it is now up to Pantaleão to send the final document with the recommendation to Corinthians’ Deliberative Council, which will put the case on the agenda for a final decision in the DC plenary session. It will be up to the council members to decide Andrés Sanchez’s future at the club.

According to the report, the final opinion is expected to be sent to the DC, along with the Ethics Committee’s recommendation, in the coming days, with the possibility of it happening as early as this Monday.

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It is worth noting that the Ethics and Discipline Committee’s opinion is merely advisory. In this sense, the council members are not required to accept the body’s recommendation and are entitled to cast dissenting votes.

Understand the case

As revealed by Gazeta Esportiva, Corinthians’ Justice Committee identified a series of expenses considered suspicious during Andrés Sanchez’s last term (2018-2020) that allegedly had no connection to a president’s official commitments.

The body initially listed 50 expenses, identifying locations and amounts that total R$ 190,523.54. Among the main charges separated and reviewed by the JC are expenses at hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies, furniture and electronics stores, as well as costs involving an air taxi company and automotive centers.

Members of Corinthians’ Justice Committee understand that there is no proof whatsoever that such purchases were made for the club’s use or out of necessity for the president. None of the expenses have any supporting receipts attached.

Public Prosecutor’s Office complaints

Andrés Sanchez was also charged twice by the São Paulo Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP-SP). The first complaint, for continued aggravated embezzlement, money laundering, and falsification of a tax document, was partially rejected by Judge Marcia Mayumi Okoda Oshira of the 2nd Court for Tax Crimes, Criminal Organization, and Laundering of Assets and Securities of the Capital.

However, the MP-SP, through prosecutor Cássio Roberto Conserino, appealed the decision. In light of this, the judge ordered the suspension of the ruling favorable to Timão’s former president and referred the case to the São Paulo Court of Justice.

Later, Andrés was charged with money laundering and tax crimes. The MP also sought new financial restitution to the club from Parque São Jorge. The body’s new complaint concerns alleged personal expenses made by the former president on Corinthians’ corporate card between August and September 2020, his final year in office.

Judge Marcia Mayumi Okoda Oshira, however, dismissed the complaints. The judge understood that “there was no just cause” to open criminal proceedings. It is worth remembering that the embezzlement accusation has not yet been ruled out and is still being investigated by the ordinary criminal court.

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