Memphis dispute may not be over, legal experts see case against Corinthians | OneFootball

Corinthians ended Memphis Depay's sporting stint by opting not to renew his deal, but lawyers say the club could still face liability over how talks were handled.

According to Globo.com, Memphis's camp is studying whether to seek the full US$ 20 million, R$ 103.26 million at current rates, tied to the unsigned contract, arguing the negotiation process created obligations.

Ricardo Cury, a FAAP professor, said steps such as medicals, draft exchanges and emails lend legal weight to a damages claim, adding that any dispute would likely go before a judge and is not an inconsistent thesis.

Pedro Lopes, of PPLlaw and Chenus Holdings, said Corinthians could be sanctioned if Memphis proves losses and a legitimate expectation of renewal, with the stronger route in Brazilian courts under pre-contractual civil liability. He noted parties must act in good faith during negotiations, and a rupture, depending on context, could be read as bad faith.

Lopes stressed the full release clause cannot be enforced without a signed deal, as FIFA's RSTP and Brazilian law require a written sports employment contract.

Cury also pointed to Brazil's 2023 General Sports Law, which allows personal liability for mismanagement, and suggested President Osmar Stabile may have stepped back to avoid exposure.

Corinthians face a severe financial crisis of R$ 2.7 billion. A previous deal signed by former president Augusto Melo left a R$ 42 million debt to Memphis, and without agreement the player could enforce it with interest, penalties and monetary correction to about R$ 77 million.

Source: Globo.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”