Lula reveals Caixa talks, suggests Neo Química Arena debt fix | OneFootball

Corinthians’ debt related to Neo Química Arena became the focus of a statement by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) this Wednesday (16). An outspoken supporter of the club, Lula said he spoke with representatives of Caixa Econômica Federal about the stadium financing and said he is trying to help in the search for a solution.

During an interview on the podcast Desce a Letra, the president also revealed that he presented a suggestion to Caixa president Carlos Antônio Vieira Fernandes. The idea mentioned by Lula involves a real estate deal using Corinthians’ assets to raise funds to pay off the debt.

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Lula shows concern over Arena debt

When addressing the club’s financial situation, Lula cited figures related to the financing of Neo Química Arena and questioned how the debt had evolved over the years. In his remarks, the president mentioned R$ 400 million as the amount originally borrowed and R$ 1.075 billion as the amount already paid.

In the same statement, Lula said Corinthians still owed “R$ 600 thousand.” Reports published this Wednesday, however, treat the balance he mentioned as approximately R$ 600 million. Recent data also show different figures depending on the criteria used: the 2025 financial statement listed R$ 642 million, while another more recent report indicated a charge of R$ 536 million by Caixa.

“I’m worried about Corinthians. These days I was talking to Caixa Econômica. You know Corinthians borrowed 400 million to build the stadium. It has already paid R$ 1.075 billion and still owes R$ 600 thousand. I said to the guy from Caixa: ‘What kind of madness is this?’ It’s because of the interest.”

The figures cited by Lula also differ from how the payments are presented in recent surveys. According to ge, the Corinthians board calculates R$ 1.246 billion by updating the disbursements based on CDI + 2%, while the amount actually paid out, without that adjustment, would be close to R$ 600 million.

President suggests operation involving club assets

Lula also revealed that he spoke with Carlos Antônio Vieira Fernandes, president of Caixa, and presented a possible way for Corinthians to raise funds.

In the proposal described during the interview, the club could seek a partnership with the real estate sector involving its assets at Parque São Jorge. Lula specifically mentioned Fazendinha while explaining the idea.

“But I’m trying to help Corinthians. Now I told the president of Caixa (Carlos Antônio Vieira Fernandes) to propose something new to Corinthians: take Fazendinha, the old Parque São Jorge, make an agreement with the real estate sector and sell that to pay off the debt.”

The statement presents a suggestion made by the president of the Republic to Caixa. As of the sources consulted, there is no indication that the proposal has been approved by Corinthians or formalized as an agreement between the club and the bank.

Arena figures are under new review

The discussion comes as the calculations involving the financing of Neo Química Arena are also being reviewed by the São Paulo Public Prosecutor’s Office. The agency is investigating a possible discrepancy in the amounts charged by Caixa after receiving a complaint that pointed to a difference of R$ 255.75 million. The financial institution, in turn, denied any irregularities in the operation.

Last week, the Public Prosecutor’s Office ordered a technical review of the calculations. The investigation should take into account the original contract, the amendments, the payments made by Corinthians, and the conditions established in the renegotiation signed in 2022.

The debate over the stadium has also recently gained traction within Corinthians itself. At the end of August, Osmar Stabile said the outstanding balance stood at R$ 642 million and linked a possible settlement of the Arena debt to talks involving the SAFiel project. Later, those responsible for the project sent a letter offering to structure fundraising and conduct negotiations with Caixa, subject to authorization from the club.

Now, Lula’s statements add a new possibility to the debate over the debt. The possible use of assets at Parque São Jorge to raise funds, however, remains an idea presented by the president to Caixa, with no confirmation that it will be adopted by Corinthians.

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