Corinthians close on Palmeiras deal and MCF return; family issue | OneFootball

Corinthians and Palmeiras took an important step toward resolving the impasse involving the youth categories and the possible reinstatement of the black-and-white club to the Brazilian Football Development Clubs Movement (MCF). In a meeting held last Saturday (2), the boards reached an understanding that could make Timão’s return to the group possible. The group is responsible for establishing guidelines for player transfers between the Under-10 and Under-14 categories.

Progress in the talks is directly tied to a restructuring of the agreement involving forward Pedro Morelli, currently with Corinthians’ Under-17 team and the central figure in the disagreement between the clubs since the start of 2025. Under the new model discussed, the club from Parque São Jorge will pay financial compensation to its rival and will begin sharing the player’s economic rights equally.

Photo: Rodrigo Gazzanel / Corinthians Agency

In addition, the possibility of a future purchase of an additional share of the player’s rights was included, subject to a previously stipulated amount. Despite the agreement between Corinthians and Palmeiras, the outcome still depends on approval from Pedro Morelli’s family, which holds a significant stake in the current arrangement and must agree to the redistribution of the percentages. So far, there has been resistance to giving up part of those rights.

Negotiation led by the board

The talks were led by football executive Marcelo Paz, with the participation of Erasmo Damiani, who is in charge of Corinthians’ youth categories. The recent movement represents a change in stance behind the scenes, with the club stepping up efforts to solve the case and end its time outside the MCF.

Sporting impact of the exclusion

Since being removed from the movement in January 2025, Corinthians has faced major restrictions in the youth football scene. Without adhering to MCF rules, the club stopped taking part in important competitions on the national calendar and also lost prominence in the development of younger players.

Internally, the assessment is that the situation directly affected hundreds of players in the early age groups, mainly due to the reduced level of competitiveness and exposure.

Understand the case

Corinthians’ exclusion from the MCF came after questions were raised about the transfer of Pedro Morelli, who left Palmeiras while still in the lower youth ranks to play for the black-and-white club. The episode was interpreted as a possible breach of the movement’s guidelines, which seek to prevent the poaching of players before the training contract stage.

Following that, the council responsible for the group decided to suspend Corinthians, triggering a period of tension between the clubs and sporting consequences for the club’s youth system.

Next step

Even with the agreement aligned between the boards, Corinthians’ official return to the MCF still depends on resolving the impasse with the player’s family. If the green light is given, the club may be reinstated to the movement and resume normally competing in youth tournaments organized among the country’s main teams.

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