Judge halts Corinthians ethics case against vice-president Armando Mendonça | OneFootball

According to Meu Timao, a court has ordered Corinthians and acting Conselho Deliberativo president Leonardo Pantaleão to halt a Comissão de Ética e Disciplina case against vice-president Armando Mendonça. The Monday injunction threatens a R$ 50,000 fine for non-compliance.

Granted by judge Antonio Manssur Filho, of the second civil court of the Tatuapé regional forum, the liminar suspends all acts until alleged procedural flaws are remedied. Notification covers both the club and Pantaleão.

The CE process sought to probe irregularities in control of Nike sponsor materials, including claims Mendonça diverted stock, drawn from an internal audit led by technology director Marcelo Munhoes. Mendonça contests the conduct, citing defects that would nullify prior steps.

He challenged Pantaleão’s alleged accumulation of roles as interim CD president, with Romeu Tuma Junior on leave, and head of Ethics, contrary to the statute. The petition says one official handled opening, referral, defence deadline and would later schedule judgment.

Further flaws listed include no formally appointed rapporteur, the absence of the accused’s file before the defence window, and use of the impeachment rite without a formal removal request. With a defence deadline of nine June, Mendonça argued he faced an impossible choice.

Issued about five hours after filing, the ruling accepted his arguments, citing risks to impartiality and breaches of CE rules. Two points drew controversy, the judge’s brother sits on the Ethics and Discipline Commission of Corinthians’ Associates, whose composition is controlled by the executive board, and the power of attorney lacked Mendonça’s signature.

The case now proceeds, with Corinthians and Pantaleão given 15 days to contest. The merits will be judged afterwards.

Source: Meu Timao