Casares ignored São Paulo warnings on risky FGoal deal, backed by Dedé | OneFootball

Former president Julio Casares ignored at least three warning alerts about the company FGoal Marketing and Events issued by São Paulo's legal department during his administration. Even with the club warning about various brand issues and pointing out future risks to the Tricolor, the then-president had the approval of his supporters and signed a million-dollar contract.

FGoal, which is now pursuing legal action demanding R$ 5 million from São Paulo, was reportedly introduced to the club through Mara Casares, former female and cultural director, and former social director Antonio Donizete Gonçalves, known as Dedé, as reported by UOL on Tuesday (3).

The company was responsible for providing food and beverages at Morumbi and also had a strong presence in social events, such as Carnival and the controversial Festa Junina.

The Tricolor's legal department indicated, at the time of negotiations at the end of 2022, lack of experience and market history of FGoal, lack of financial and asset backing of the company, and potential damage to the club's reputation. In at least three documents issued to the former boards, a high probability of significant negative impact on São Paulo was pointed out, which was ignored by Julio Casares.

After Casares' resignation, Harry Massis took over the presidency and promptly terminated the contract with the former food supplier, alleging that it made unauthorized withdrawals from the club's accounts, amounting to about R$ 200,000. According to the portal, FGoal claims that all transactions were authorized during Casares' administration as part of the service provision to São Paulo.

Still in November 2022, the initial analysis completed by those responsible at Tricolor indicated that FGoal was still a micro digital marketing company, which did not even have food and beverages among its commercial activities.

Lack of experience and expertise in the area was reported as one of several problems, characterizing the business as high risk for the club. The brand had no physical structure, client portfolio, or any employee records, indicating the initial risk.

Look who gave the approval

After a second review, the high risk and negative stance on the agreement were maintained by São Paulo's legal department. The evidence of the company's service provision simply did not exist. And that's where Casares' ally, Dedé, came in.

The then social director got involved in the conversation and endorsed the quality of the brand's services to the legal department and had already approved and forwarded its hiring.

“In view of the progress and analysis of the new contract for the A&B Operation, for the next year at Morumbi stadium, I have to express my positive opinion regarding the service provision of the company FGOAL, as I am confident it will do the best for SPFC, as I witnessed its work, from service, cleaning, and quality towards the public, with dedication and necessary conditions for excellent service,” said Dedé via email.

“Therefore, it will now provide its services as a Concessionaire in the A&B Operation, from now on at Morumbi stadium, during Games, Shows, and the like, whose documents have already been certified and entered into the CONTRACTS system, with my approval and for which I request your collaboration in forwarding, for its due execution and for President Julio Casares' signature,” he added.

Thus, despite all the warnings, Casares closed the deal in 2023, with the company starting to manage food and beverages at São Paulo's games in its stadium. Already in March of the following year, the contract would be renewed. Before that, the legal department once again reviewed the business, for the third time, and again pointed out FGoal as being high risk, citing issues such as lack of employees, tax liabilities in all the partners' companies, and other problems.

Even the former CEO of Tricolor, Márcio Carlomagno, was aware of the problematic report, giving his approval. Still, Julio Casares signed a new contract on May 17, 2024, granting the exploration of food and beverages at Morumbi to the company until the end of 2029, which was annulled by Massis on February 5 of this year.

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