Corinthians marks the club’s historic movement on Democracy Day | OneFootball

Corinthians used their social media this Tuesday (15) to celebrate the International Day of Democracy. In the post, made jointly with the profile of the club’s Cultural Department, Timão linked the date to one of the most emblematic periods in its history, the Corinthian Democracy.

The tribute recalled the movement developed at Parque São Jorge during the 1980s, amid Brazil’s military regime. During that period, players, members of the coaching staff, and employees began to take a more active role in internal decisions, with dialogue and freedom of expression gaining space in the club’s daily life.

Photo: Disclosure / Corinthians

In the artwork released, Corinthians brought back images linked to the movement and highlighted September 15. In the caption, the club emphasized its historic connection to democratic principles.

“September 15 – International Day of Democracy

Today we celebrate a value that is essential to society and part of the history of Sport Club Corinthians Paulista: Democracy! In the 1980s, amid the military regime, Timão’s players, coaching staff, and employees came together in a movement that made history in Brazilian football: Corinthian Democracy. It was a period in which collective participation, dialogue, and freedom of expression gained space within the Club. On this day, we reaffirm the importance of building a society based on respect, participation, and diversity of ideas.”

Corinthian Democracy made club history

More than just an episode confined to the pitch, Corinthian Democracy changed the way different decisions were discussed within the football department. The proposal made room for the participation of players and other club professionals, breaking with the decision-making model that predominated in Brazilian football at the time.

Among the main figures linked to the movement were football director and sociologist Adilson Monteiro Alves and players such as Sócrates, Wladimir, Casagrande, and Zenon. The experience gained national prominence precisely at a time when Brazil was still living through the final years of the military dictatorship.

The squad’s stance also went beyond the limits of Parque São Jorge. During that period, messages related to political participation and the country’s re-democratization began to appear in the players’ demonstrations and even on the Corinthians kit.

One of the most remembered episodes took place in the 1983 Campeonato Paulista final. Before the decisive match against São Paulo, the players entered the pitch carrying a banner with the phrase: “Win or lose, but always with democracy”. On the field, Corinthians won the state championship for the second consecutive year.

Another striking moment happened during the campaign for direct presidential elections. Sócrates, one of the symbols of Corinthian Democracy, took part in the historic rally held at Praça da Sé in 1984, amid the Diretas Já movement.

Date is celebrated internationally

The International Day of Democracy is celebrated annually on September 15. The date was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007 with the aim of promoting and reinforcing democratic principles.

By bringing back Corinthian Democracy in this Tuesday’s post, the club once again connected its own history to the values that marked that movement. More than four decades later, the period remains one of the most recognized chapters of the club’s history beyond the four lines.

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