São Paulo court rejects Dudu appeal in case against Leila Pereira | OneFootball

On Thursday 16, the São Paulo Court of Justice rejected, at second instance, Dudu’s appeal in his criminal complaint against Palmeiras president Leila Pereira over comments about his exit.

According to Nosso Palestra, the former Palmeiras forward, now at Atlético-MG, lodged the complaint in August 2025, alleging that remarks made on 13 January, 17 January and nine May 2025 amounted to nine offences, two defamation and seven insult.

On 13 January, Pereira said Dudu had sought a move to Cruzeiro while recovering from a serious injury, that a transfer had been authorised but not formalised, contrasted his case with Rony and said he left by the back door.

On 17 January she criticised the way he addressed her, said it should be a warning and that she knew how to respond firmly but civilly, adding he would not have done so to a male president. On nine May she declined to discuss him, said she had a case over alleged offences, and maintained his conduct was because she is a woman.

Reporting judge André Carvalho e Silva de Almeida wrote that the 13 January comments were made in her capacity as Palmeiras president, explaining perceived financial harm and aimed at defending the institution rather than denigrating the player.

The ruling added that the 17 January and nine May statements did not attack Dudu’s honour, noting she indicated the dispute would be resolved in court, which showed care with wording incompatible with the intent required for defamation or insult.

Source: Nosso Palestra