São Paulo box row: Carlomagno says his name was used as leverage | OneFootball

Márcio Carlomagno, general superintendent of São Paulo, denied any financial involvement in the episode investigating the irregular exploitation of a Morumbis box during singer Shakira’s concert. Mentioned in audio recordings that have surfaced in recent days, the executive stated that his name was used improperly and described the case as one of the most difficult moments of his career at the club.

“I didn’t make any money. The only thing I got was a big problem for us to solve,” Carlomagno told Globo Esporte, when commenting on the recordings that point to an alleged illegal ticket-selling scheme involving São Paulo directors. According to him, the repercussions of the case cause more institutional damage than any other effect. “I won’t even say I’m a victim, because the victim is São Paulo,” he added.

The superintendent confirmed that he authorized the use of the presidential box, internally identified as space 3A, at the request of Mara Casares, then the director of women’s, cultural, and events affairs. However, he emphasized that the concession did not include, under any circumstances, permission to sell tickets. “She was not authorized to sell the box,” he stressed.

Carlomagno explained that he only learned about the commercial exploitation on the day of the event itself, after a dispute involving tickets and the company that had acquired the space. Following this episode, he decided to prohibit the concession of that box for other events held at Morumbis throughout 2025, as a preventive measure.

In the released audios, Douglas Schwartzmann, deputy director of the youth divisions, and Mara Casares state that the use of the box happened in an “abnormal” way and mention that “everyone profited” from the operation. Both requested leave from their positions the morning after the report was published.

For Carlomagno, the direct mention of his name in the recordings had a specific objective: to pressure an intermediary involved in the case to drop a lawsuit that could cause damage to the club. “I understand that they used my name as a pressure tool,” he said.

Asked about remaining in his position amid the crisis, the executive stated that, so far, there is no evidence directly linking him to any wrongdoing. He also made a point of distinguishing his role within São Paulo. “I am a career employee. I am not a political figure. I work tirelessly to improve governance, reduce debt, and help the club achieve a surplus,” he declared. “If at any point something falls directly on me, I’ll be the first to request leave.”

São Paulo stated, in an official note, that it learned of the content of the audios through the press and that it has opened internal procedures to investigate the facts. The club also confirmed the leave requests of the two mentioned executives and said it will take appropriate measures after the investigations are concluded.

Understand the case

In the recording, Douglas Schwartzmann admits that he, Mara Casares, and others profited financially from the scheme. According to the released content, Mara received a box from the club’s superintendent, Marcio Carlomagno, and began selling tickets. Carlomagno is identified as one of the main figures of the current administration and is close to president Julio Casares.

The box involved in the case is 3A, located in the east sector of Morumbis. According to São Paulo’s internal documents, the space is identified as the “presidential room” and is located in front of the club president’s office.

SEE ALSO: São Paulo opposition councilors call for Julio Casares’ removal after ticket scandal

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