Civil Police launch probe into illegal São Paulo box sale scheme | OneFootball

The Civil Police, through the Department of Police for the Protection of Citizenship (DPPC), launched an investigation this Tuesday to probe the illegal scheme of selling a VIP box for shows held at Morumbis, the stadium of São Paulo.

The São Paulo Public Prosecutor's Office (MP-SP) had requested the opening of an inquiry to investigate the case. The request, made by prosecutor José Reinaldo Guimarães Carneiro, was accepted by the Civil Police, which began the investigation.

The process is under judicial secrecy. For this reason, the DPPC cannot provide details about the investigation. The aim is to ensure the autonomy of the authorities' work.

Morumbis – (Photo: Staff Image/Conmebol)

The information was initially disclosed by ge and confirmed by Gazeta Esportiva.

The DPPC of the Civil Police, it is worth remembering, is also investigating possible misappropriation of funds related to player negotiations of the club. In a statement, São Paulo said it was unaware of any investigation about the case, but made itself available to provide all necessary clarifications if formally cited.

Internal Investigation

São Paulo is also conducting an investigation into the case. The club has initiated two inquiries, one external and one internal, to investigate the situation. Externally, the testimonies of those involved will be collected, and a final report will provide the club with its considerations and guidance on possible next steps.

In parallel, the internal inquiry is being handled by the compliance department. Additionally, the case was sent to the Ethics Committee of the São Paulo Deliberative Council for investigation.

Understand the Case

Audio recordings between Douglas Schwartzmann, deputy director of São Paulo's youth division, and Mara Casares, ex-wife of president Julio Casares and cultural and events director, revealed an illegal scheme of selling a VIP box for shows held at Morumbis. After the case was leaked, Schwartzmann and Mara requested leave from their positions.

In the recording, obtained by ge, Schwartzmann admits that he, Mara, and others profited from the scheme. He states that Mara Casares received from superintendent Marcio Carlomagno a VIP box and sold tickets for the concert of Colombian singer Shakira in February this year. Carlomagno is considered the right-hand man of Julio Casares and the main candidate for the 2026 election.

The VIP box that prompted the leaked recording, at the center of a judicial process, was 3A, in the east sector of Morumbis. In club documents, this space is listed as "presidential room" and is located in front of the office of president Julio Casares.

Amid political and institutional pressure, Casares reinforced that the handling of the process will follow technical and transparent criteria, focusing on preserving the club's image. The internal expectation is that the investigation reports will provide support for the adoption of administrative and disciplinary measures if irregularities are confirmed, concluding one of the most delicate episodes of the current management at São Paulo.

In light of the scandals involving São Paulo's name, the opposition filed, this Tuesday, the impeachment request against Casares based on articles 63, 79, and 112 of the club's Social Statute. The political group gathered signatures from 57 councilors. 13 are political actors considered part of the situation — meaning former allies of the president may be changing sides in the tricolor political board.

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