Corinthians cite ‘Pre-Libertadores’ and lose CAS case over Martínez bonus | OneFootball

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) made public this Friday its decision regarding Corinthians’ debt to the Philadelphia Union related to the signing of José Martínez, completed in 2024. In addition to the updated amounts being claimed, the document revealed a strategy used by the São Paulo club to try to avoid paying a contractually agreed bonus. The information was first reported by ge.globo.

Under the agreement signed by the parties, Timão committed to paying an extra US$100,000 if it secured a place in the Copa Libertadores. After its surge in the 2024 Brazilian Championship, when it went from fighting relegation to securing qualification for the continental tournament, the club met the condition set out in the clause.

Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Ag. Corinthians

In 2025, the team eliminated Venezuela’s Universidad Central in the preliminary stage of the competition, but was then knocked out by Barcelona de Guayaquil before the group stage. It was subsequently placed in the Copa Sudamericana, as required by Conmebol regulations.

During the CAS proceedings, Corinthians’ legal department argued that the club had not actually taken part in the Libertadores, claiming it had only played in a qualifying tournament popularly known as the “Pre-Libertadores.” Based on that interpretation, the club maintained that the bonus provided for in the contract should not have to be paid.

The Court, however, completely rejected the argument presented by Timão. Based on Conmebol’s official rules, the tribunal found that the preliminary stage is officially part of the Libertadores and is considered one of the phases of the continental competition.

“Corinthians’ failure to qualify for the group stage of the tournament does not affect fulfillment of the condition established by the parties in the contract. Contrary to what Corinthians claims, there is no evidence of the existence of a separate tournament called ‘Pre-Libertadores’ comprising qualifying rounds for the main tournament. In fact, Corinthians qualified for and played in the preliminary stage of the 2025 Copa Libertadores, which constitutes one of the competition’s three phases, as established by Conmebol in its Manual”, wrote Jaime Castillo, the arbitrator responsible for the decision.

After losing the appeal, Corinthians received a new financial penalty. The club will have to pay US$1.425 million to the Philadelphia Union, plus annual interest of 15%. In addition, Timão was also punished with a transfer ban lasting three transfer windows. The ruling also provides for payment of US$75,000 to FIFA and another US$25,000 for the procedural costs of the case.

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