Sao Paulo remove president Julio Casares amid embezzlement investigation | OneFootball

Sao Paulo have removed president Julio Casares on Friday, with police opening an embezzlement investigation into missing club funds, L'Équipe reports.

The probe concerns 11 million reais, roughly 2 million euros, missing from the accounts. Investigations are continuing to clarify the case and identify those responsible, with withdrawals reported between 2021 and 2025.

Casares has led the club since his 2020 election and was re-elected in 2023. He was ousted at Morumbi after a deliberative council ballot that finished 188 in favour, 45 against and two abstentions.

A General Assembly must now meet to ratify the move.

First vice-president Harry Massis will act as interim. The 64-year-old's removal comes a few days before the club's first Brazilian Championship match, against Flamengo on 28 January.

Source: L'Équipe