São Paulo president speaks out on ticket scheme, vows to take firm action | OneFootball

The president of São Paulo, Julio Casares, spoke out for the first time this Monday about the controversy involving the allegedly irregular sale of tickets and suites at the Morumbi Stadium, revealed after the release of audio recordings by the press. In a statement, the president described the episode as “a very sad day for the institution” and stated that he only decided to speak publicly after the initial measures for investigating the case were adopted.

Casares stated that he became aware of the recording released on Monday and emphasized that the club's priority is the full clarification of the facts.

“I am only speaking out now, a whole day after the facts came to light, because the priority is to ensure everything is clarified and, if necessary, the appropriate measures are taken,” declared the president, reinforcing that situations like this cannot go without a thorough investigation.

According to the executive, São Paulo immediately initiated an inquiry, structured in two fronts. The main one is an external audit, precisely to avoid any kind of political interference or internal influence in the process. “Everyone will be heard, and a final report will provide the club with its considerations and guidance for any potential next steps,” he explained. Simultaneously, an internal investigation is being conducted by the Tricolor's compliance department.

SEE MORE: São Paulo suite case: Carlomagno claims name was used as pressure

Julio Casares also exercised caution when addressing individual responsibilities. He stressed that he does not condone prejudgments but made it clear that any irregularities will be dealt with rigorously. “I do not support or practice preemptive condemnation. I believe in the full right to defense. But I emphasize that, regardless of the outcome of the inquiry, we will act rigorously with anyone who may be identified as having inappropriate conduct at the club,” he stated. The president also made a point of emphasizing that there will be no privileges. “There is and will be no favoritism due to proximity, friendship, kinship, function, or political alignment.”

Under Pressure?

The statement comes amid a growing political crisis at São Paulo. Council members linked to the opposition, gathered in the “Save the Tricolor Paulista” movement, released a note calling for the precautionary removal of Julio Casares and other executives mentioned in the audio recordings, arguing that the investigation needs to occur in a “full, independent, and impartial” manner. The group argues that the location of the involved suite, identified as space 3A, the so-called “presidential room,” in the east sector of Morumbi, makes it difficult to dismiss the hypothesis of prior knowledge by the club's leadership.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Julio Casares (@juliocasares_sp)

Understand the case

The case came to light after the release of a recording in which Douglas Schwartzmann, deputy director of the youth categories, admits that he, Mara Casares, cultural and events director and ex-wife of the president, and others allegedly profited financially from the irregular exploitation of the suite during concerts held at the stadium, including that of singer Shakira. Following the repercussion, both requested leave from their positions.

Amid political and institutional pressure, Julio Casares reinforced that 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, should irregularities be confirmed, closing one of the most delicate episodes of the current management at São Paulo.

See Casares' full statement:

“I became aware of the unfortunate telephone conversation in an audio recording released by the press this Monday, a very sad day for the institution.

I am only speaking out now, a whole day after the facts came to light, because the priority is to ensure everything is clarified and, if necessary, the appropriate measures are taken.

Cases like this cannot go without being properly clarified, and this will be done through the inquiry that was immediately initiated after the episode was revealed. This work is being done on two fronts: the first and most important is the external audit, to ensure there is no possibility of political interference or influence of power. Everyone will be heard, and a final report will provide the Club with its considerations and guidance for any potential next steps. In parallel, the internal inquiry will be handled by the compliance department.

I do not support or practice prejudgment and preemptive condemnation. I believe in the full right to defense. But I emphasize that, regardless of the outcome of the inquiry, we will act rigorously with anyone who may be identified as having inappropriate conduct at the Club. There is and will be no favoritism due to proximity, friendship, kinship, function, or political alignment.”

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