Corinthians open statute reform hearings with ethics, governance talks | OneFootball

On Monday night (1st), Corinthians held the first day of Public Hearings to discuss the proposal for the Reform of the Social Statute. The inaugural stage, dedicated to the chapters dealing with the club's institutional identity, the composition of the membership, and the architecture of internal powers, was marked by intense disagreements over governance, transparency, electoral rules, and the structure of the future Ethics and Integrity Committee.

The session, presided over by the Deliberative Council (CD), heard from councilors, members, and organized collectives, who presented criticisms, suggestions, and counterpoints regarding the provisions under review, mainly those in Chapters I, II, and III, which establish the club's legal and organizational foundations. Around 60 people, including members of the press, attended the CD's public hearing, which is not mandatory, although it is a continuation of the session started last week for the vote on the statutory reform.

Photo: Reproduction/Corinthians

Ethics and Integrity Committee

One of the most sensitive topics of the night was the format of the proposed new Ethics Committee. There was a strong dispute between those who advocate for a legal background requirement for its members and those who reject this obligation, arguing that the body should reflect the plurality of the Corinthians community.

The presence of paid external auditors also generated controversy. Some councilors and members questioned the legality and the risk of external interference in an internal power body. On the other hand, groups like the Coletivo Voz Corinthiana defended the inclusion of auditors to ensure real independence and avoid political capture, proposing selection through a public call.

Another disagreement involved the preliminary removal of those under investigation, seen by some as a necessary tool for institutional protection, but by others as a possible instrument of political persecution.

Hiring Relatives and Conflict of Interest

The rules prohibiting the hiring of councilors' relatives, set out in Article 43 of the draft, were also widely discussed. There was criticism of the “three-year” period used as a time marker, considered subjective, and suggestions that the restriction should only apply to future relationships.

Some participants called for the creation of exception mechanisms through review by oversight bodies, while others advocated for a strict ban with no loopholes. Some councilors and members reinforced the need for protection against nepotism and conflicts of interest.

Political Rights

The minimum period of good standing required for a member to vote also divided opinions. The proposals presented ranged from 18 months, two years, and even three years of regular contributions, as opposed to the five years provided for in the current statute. There were also calls for measures to prevent vote-buying through the payment of overdue dues on the eve of elections.

The supplementary application of national electoral legislation to the club's process sparked debate among councilors who fear impacts on Corinthians' social routine and traditional events and those who support the measure.

Transparency and Demand for Broadcasting

The lack of live broadcasting of the hearing was the target of protests. Some councilors and members argued that publicity is fundamental in a process that aims to be democratic and participatory. The CD president stated that he is not opposed to broadcasting, but that the measure is not an internal consensus within the body, so the decision falls to the board. There was also an announcement of formal requests to the club's president for the next meetings to be broadcast.

Sports, Management, and Budget Also on the Agenda

Members involved in amateur sports reported a lack of dialogue with the Marketing department, pointed out fundraising difficulties, and recounted experiences of ignored requests for support. There was also criticism regarding the non-payment of FGTS to employees and calls for accountability.

The discussion about possibly cutting sports divisions generated divergent opinions: on one side, those who support cuts due to the financial crisis; on the other, those who call for responsible management to avoid eliminations.

The president of the Deliberative Council, Romeu Tuma Júnior, detailed the structure of the new board proposed and stated that the body will not vote on the 2026 budget if it is not delivered in advance by the board. It is worth remembering that, by law, the club's budget forecast for 2026 must be voted on by the CD by the second half of December.

Next Steps

The inaugural meeting made it clear that structural topics such as ethics, governance, transparency, and political participation will be at the center of the next hearings. The schedule foresees the continuation of Chapter III discussions on December 17, allowing a return to sensitive points such as Articles 41 to 44 of the draft – click HERE to access the full proposal.

This Friday (5th), the CD will hold the second day of hearings, dedicated to the voting rights of the Fiel Torcedor, one of the most politically mobilizing topics of the reform. The meeting will take place in the press room of Neo Química Arena. On Monday (8th), the body will receive representatives from SAFiel, a project that proposes transforming Corinthians football into a SAF financed by shares purchased by fans, in a hearing aimed at discussing the statutory procedure for a possible approval of this model at Corinthians.

Last Monday (24th), the councilors met to analyze and vote on the club's statute reform. After just over two hours of discussion, however, they decided to postpone the vote to allow for deeper debates on the proposals. Thus, it was decided that the topic will be addressed in a cycle of ten public hearings, which will extend until February 2026. The final text should be submitted to the general assembly of members, scheduled for March.

See more:

Experience the history and tradition of Corinthians at Parque São Jorge. Click HERE and secure your spot!

Gaviões da Fiel announces cancellation of meeting with Corinthians Councils and Slates

Collective finalizes proposal for Corinthians Statute Reform and launches petition in support of the project

Corinthians holds first public hearing to discuss statute reform this Monday

Corinthians News

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