Andrés Sanchez expelled from Corinthians over irregular corporate card use | OneFootball

Former Corinthians president Andrés Sanchez has been expelled from the club’s membership after a council vote over misuse of a corporate card for personal expenses. According to Globo.com, the ballot was held at Parque São Jorge on Monday.

Of 167 councillors present, 112 backed expulsion, 49 opposed and six abstained, a turnout of 58.8%.

Most members followed an Ethics Commission recommendation, prepared by acting council president Leonardo Pantaleão, which urged Sanchez’s removal.

Pantaleão said the council has autonomy for such decisions, with no need for a general assembly. He added Sanchez will be formally notified and the ruling then takes effect. He said the club’s internal process is exhausted, though the former president may seek judicial review.

Sanchez’s defence had not commented after the vote.

An internal inquiry found he used Corinthians’ credit card for personal outlays, the same issue underpinning complaints filed by the Public Prosecutor’s Office. Prosecutor Cássio Conserino calculated R$ 480,169.60 as improperly spent between August 2018 and February 2021, adjusted for inflation and interest.

Items flagged included two luxury watches, duty free purchases, clothing stores, pharmacies, meat suppliers, hospital care, lab tests, barber services and meals in steakhouses and restaurants. The card also paid a restaurant in Fernando de Noronha, where the club had no commitments.

In his defence, Sanchez argued the club had no clear rules, spending occurred amid prior informality, he sometimes confused it with his personal card, there was no intent or bad faith, some costs were institutional and others reimbursed.

Source: Globo.com