Andrés Sanchez grilled over Corinthians corporate cards, details here | OneFootball

This Thursday, the former president of Corinthians, Andrés Sanchez, gave a statement to the São Paulo Public Prosecutor's Office (MP-SP) and explained the alleged improper personal expenses during his tenure at the club.

According to Gazeta Esportiva, the statement took place via videoconference and lasted approximately 15 minutes. Two main topics were addressed by the prosecutor in charge of the case, Cassio Roberto Conserino: expenses of about R$ 5,000 at a jewelry store and nearly R$ 7,000 in Fernando de Noronha in 2020.

Regarding the expense in the archipelago, Andrés admitted he was intoxicated and got confused using the card because, in his words, he has a card from the same bank, Santander.

As for the jewelry store, the former president claimed it was a watch he gave as a gift to a CBF member with whom he had a meeting at that time. Andrés sees the practice as common in the football world and considered it appropriate to gift the Confederation member on that occasion.

These were the same explanations given by Andrés Sanchez in a meeting of the Cori (Corinthians Guidance Council). During Thursday's statement, he made himself available to the Public Prosecutor's Office for any further questions, as documents are being gradually added to the investigations. Therefore, there is a possibility he may be summoned to testify again.

Andrés Sanchez's lawyer even requested exemption from the hearing, believing the facts had already been explained. However, the former president of Timão decided to participate.

Understand the case

The Criminal Investigative Procedure (PIC) was initiated by the Public Prosecutor's Office in mid-June this year. At the time, the agency also scheduled hearings with the current president, Osmar Stabile, vice-president Armando Mendonça, and the president of the Deliberative Council, Romeu Tuma Júnior, to understand the functioning of Corinthians' corporate cards.

Initially, the MP's investigation was to cover only the periods of Andrés Sanchez's (2018 to 2020) and Duilio Monteiro Alves's (2021 to 2023) administrations. However, after hearing some statements, the agency decided to investigate Augusto Melo's term as well. In addition to alleged embezzlement, possible crimes of fraud, qualified theft, ideological falsehood, and criminal association are also being investigated.

(Photo: Reproduction/YouTube)

The case came to light at the beginning of July, when Andrés admitted to having used the card improperly for personal expenses in Tibau do Sul, Rio Grande do Norte, at the end of his last term in 2020.

Days after the revelation of the expenses, he reimbursed Corinthians with interest and monetary correction. The former president, however, is facing a disciplinary process in the club's Ethics and Discipline Committee. Fans are demanding punishments and even expulsion of Andrés.

There was also an accusation of alleged personal expenses during Duilio Monteiro Alves's administration. However, the expenses are not necessarily linked to the former president. He does not recognize the bills and filed a crime report at the Sports Intolerance Crimes Repression Police Station (Drade/Dope), requesting its inclusion in the ongoing police investigation, which denounces the circulation of false and manipulated documents.

At the beginning of September, the MP requested the court to temporarily remove Andrés, Duilio, and Augusto Melo from Corinthians' Deliberative and Guidance Councils during the investigation. So far, however, there has been no response from the Judiciary.

(Photo: Peter Leone/O Fotografico/Gazeta Press)

Corinthians informed, about two weeks ago, that it completed the delivery of confidential documents requested by the MP. The club makes itself available to the authorities but fears leaks and emphasizes the care to not further expose the institution's image.

In addition to the alleged personal expenses, the MP also opened an investigation to ascertain a possible connection of the club with the criminal faction Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), motivated by the testimony of Romeu Tuma Júnior, president of Corinthians' CD, collected by the agency.

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