Corinthians fans back removal of Andrés, Duilio and Augusto Melo | OneFootball

The organized supporters group Gaviões da Fiel has expressed support for the lawsuit filed by the São Paulo Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP-SP) requesting the removal of former presidents Andrés Sanchez, Duílio Monteiro, and Augusto Melo from the Deliberative and Advisory Councils of Corinthians.

As reported by Rádio Bandeirantes and confirmed by Gazeta Esportiva, the request was made by prosecutor Cássio Roberto Conserino to the Police Inquiry Department of the São Paulo Court of Justice on August 21. However, there has not yet been any action from the Judiciary.

Photo: Reproduction/YouTube

In the statement, the Corinthians supporters group points out that the continued presence of the former presidents in positions of influence presents a “conflict of interest.”

The supporters also listed the criminal indications against the directors, noting that the disappearance of financial documents hinders the investigation.

“We request that the responsible departments of SCCP promptly comply with the recommendation of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, handing over all required documents, and decide on the immediate removal of the aforementioned former presidents. It is time to put Corinthians’ interests above political convenience,” said the group in part of the official statement.

At the end of the statement, the group calls for exemplary punishment for those involved so that a new era can begin at Corinthians.

Photo: Publicity / @gavioesoficial

Recall the case

The Criminal Investigative Procedure (PIC) was initiated by the Public Prosecutor’s Office in mid-June this year. At the time, the agency also scheduled hearings with the current president, Osmar Stabile, vice president Armando Mendonça, and the president of the Deliberative Council, Romeu Tuma Júnior, in order to understand the operation of Corinthians’ corporate cards.

Initially, the investigation by the Public Prosecutor’s Office was to cover only the periods of Andrés Sanchez’s administration (2018 to 2020) and Duílio’s (2021 to 2023). However, after hearing some testimonies, the agency decided to also investigate Augusto Melo’s term. In addition to alleged embezzlement, possible crimes under investigation include fraud, aggravated theft, ideological falsehood, and criminal association.

The case came to light at the beginning of July, when Andrés admitted to having improperly used the card to pay for personal expenses in Tibau do Sul, Rio Grande do Norte, at the end of his last term in 2020.

Days after the revelation of the expenses, he reimbursed Corinthians with interest and monetary correction. The former president, however, will face disciplinary proceedings before the club’s Ethics and Discipline Committee. Supporters are calling for punishments and even the expulsion of Andrés.

There was also an accusation of alleged personal expenses during the administration of Duílio Monteiro Alves. These expenses, however, are not necessarily linked to the former president. He does not recognize the charges and filed a police report with the Police Department for the Repression of Sports Intolerance Crimes (Drade/Dope), requesting that this be included in the ongoing police investigation, which denounces the circulation of false and manipulated documents.

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Read the full statement

STATEMENT ON THE REQUEST FOR REMOVAL OF INVESTIGATED FORMER PRESIDENTS

Gaviões da Fiel Torcida expresses support for the lawsuit requesting the removal of former presidents Andrés Sanchez, Duilio Monteiro Alves, and Augusto Melo from the Deliberative Council of Sport Club Corinthians Paulista. This measure is essential to ensure transparency and integrity in the investigations involving allegations of mismanagement and misuse of the club’s resources.

The investigations point to irregular use of corporate cards, with more than 170 purchases exceeding R$86,000 in personal expenses, with no connection to Corinthians’ activities. There are indications of crimes such as embezzlement, fraud, ideological falsehood, criminal association, and money laundering. Added to this is the disappearance of financial documents, which compromises the reconstruction of the truth and hinders the investigative work.

The continued presence of these former directors in positions of influence represents a serious conflict of interest and a direct threat to the investigations, since they still exercise voting and political influence within the club.

We request that the responsible departments of SCCP promptly comply with the recommendation of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, handing over all required documents, and decide on the immediate removal of the aforementioned former presidents. It is time to put Corinthians’ interests above political convenience.

The Fiel Torcida is mobilizing and understands the seriousness of the actions that have harmed the institution. Knowing that the authorities are working to hold accountable those who have damaged the club and left it in a chaotic financial situation is a reason for recognition and support.

If there is exemplary punishment, we will begin a new era at Corinthians, free from those who benefit from our history.

We will remain vigilant and active, as we always have been, in defense of a fair, transparent Corinthians faithful to its origins.

The Board Gaviões da Fiel Torcida

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