São Paulo youth director denies involvement in irregular ticket sales case | OneFootball

Mentioned in reports that revealed an alleged illegal ticket and box office scheme at Morumbis Stadium, Douglas Schwartzmann, deputy director of São Paulo’s youth divisions, released a personal statement this Monday to clarify his position on the case.

He stated that he had no involvement in the sale, negotiation, or commercialization of tickets or boxes related to events held at the stadium.

“I have never held a position related to the management or leasing of these spaces and have never received any amount, benefit, or advantage related to SPFC,” said the executive.

“I was only approached after a situation had already occurred, with the sole aim of trying to help prevent a problem between private parties from causing undue harm to São Paulo Futebol Clube. My involvement was specific, personal, and without any commercial character, always with the intention of preserving the institution,” he added.

Amid the repercussions of the case, Douglas Schwartzmann announced that he chose to temporarily step away from his duties at the club in order to allow the investigations to proceed smoothly.

“I have an absolutely clear conscience and, if called upon, I will provide all necessary clarifications, with total transparency, awaiting the light of truth,” he concluded.

Photo: São Paulo / Publicity

Understand the case

The episode came to light after leaked audios, revealed by ge, which also point to the involvement of São Paulo’s cultural and events director, Mara Casares, ex-wife of the club’s president, Julio Casares, in a scheme of irregular ticket exploitation during concerts held at the stadium, including the one by singer Shakira in February of this year.

Mara has also spoken out about the case and stated that the released content was shared in a distorted manner. According to her, the audio circulating does not reflect the truth of the facts nor her real intention in participating in the conversation.

In the recording, Douglas Schwartzmann admits that he, Mara Casares, and others would have obtained financial gains from the scheme. According to the released content, Mara received a box from the club’s superintendent, Marcio Carlomagno, and began to sell tickets for the event. Carlomagno is identified as one of the main figures in the current management and is close to president Julio Casares.

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

Still according to the report, the right to use box 3A was transferred to Rita de Cassia Adriana Prado, an intermediary mentioned in the recording. She was responsible for the exploitation of the space and the sale of tickets, which reportedly generated estimated revenue of R$ 132,000. However, the agreement ended up in a legal dispute. In June, Rita’s company filed a lawsuit against Cassemiro Eventos Ltda., alleging the improper removal of an envelope containing 60 tickets from the box on the day of the concert. A police report was also filed.

In the audios, Schwartzmann pressures Rita to withdraw the lawsuit and acknowledges that the agreement was made “outside the standard,” in addition to stating that the scheme was known to Marcio Carlomagno. In one excerpt, he says that everyone involved knew the practice was improper.

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

São Paulo’s statement

In an official statement, São Paulo reported that it learned of the audio content through the press and will conduct a thorough investigation of the facts. The club confirmed that Douglas Schwartzmann and Mara Casares requested leave from their positions and stated that it will take the necessary measures after analyzing the case.

“São Paulo Futebol Clube informs that it learned of the audio content through the press and will conduct the appropriate investigation of the facts. Based on this analysis, the Club will take whatever measures are deemed necessary,” the club said.

  See this photo on Instagram   A post shared by São Paulo Futebol Clube (@saopaulofc)

Read Douglas Schwartzmann’s full statement:

In light of the reports involving my name, I consider it necessary to provide personal clarifications, calmly and responsibly, out of respect for São Paulo Futebol Clube, the fans, and public opinion.

At no time did I have any involvement in the sale, negotiation, or commercialization of boxes or tickets for events held at Morumbi Stadium. I have never held a position related to the management or leasing of these spaces and have never received any amount, benefit, or advantage related to SPFC.

I was only approached after a situation had already occurred, with the sole aim of trying to help prevent a problem between private parties from causing undue harm to São Paulo Futebol Clube. My involvement was specific, personal, and without any commercial character, always with the intention of preserving the institution.

The discomfort that occurred was solely due to the way I expressed myself in a private conversation, using an example from my experience as a businessman, in the sense that activities involve risks and different results over time. These statements do not reflect the reality of the facts, nor do they mean, under any circumstances, that I had any gain or involvement with boxes or events.

I emphasize that I only came into contact with this situation after all the facts had already taken place and that the audios themselves, when analyzed in their entirety, make it clear that I have no involvement with the problem, ruling out any irregular conduct on my part.

My career at São Paulo Futebol Clube has always been guided by work, responsibility, and objective results. Under my management, eight athletes were promoted to the professional squad, contributing significantly to the club’s financial balance. In less than a year, we won the U-20 Copa do Brasil, in 2024 and 2025 we were champions of the Copa São Paulo and runners-up in the U-20 Campeonato Paulista, runners-up in the U-17 Copa do Brasil and runners-up in the U-17 Campeonato Paulista, with participation in several U-17 Paulista finals, reflecting a collective, serious, and committed effort. I remain confident that, with continued stability, we have great chances of continuing to reap rewards, including in the next edition of the Copa São Paulo.

Out of responsibility and respect for São Paulo Futebol Clube, I chose to temporarily step away from my duties solely to allow the investigation to proceed smoothly. I have an absolutely clear conscience and, if called upon, I will provide all necessary clarifications, with total transparency, awaiting the light of truth.

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