On Thursday, in São Paulo, former Corinthians football director Rubão didn’t mince words when he called out the current leadership, accusing them of ties with organized crime. At the heart of the controversy is a sponsorship deal with VaideBet, which Rubão claims has ensnared the club in potential criminal activities.
He pointed fingers directly at President Augusto Melo, along with other key officials, urging for drastic leadership changes to protect the club’s legacy.
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Corinthians is a victim
Rubão laid bare his concerns after speaking with authorities at the Citizen Protection Police Department. He emphasized that Corinthians itself is a victim, caught in the crosshairs of shady dealings by its own leaders.
“Corinthians is all about family, and we can’t let crime take root,” he stated, stressing the urgency for the board to take action if they wish to avoid legal battles.
In his revelations, Rubão highlighted a budding political shift within the club. With 300 advisors and growing discontent, a new group is emerging, poised to guide Corinthians out of turmoil.
He was adamant about moving past the old ‘Renewal and Transparency’ regime, advocating for new strategies to revive the club’s fortunes.
Origin of the scandal
The backstory of the scandal involves questionable transactions back in March, where Corinthians reportedly sent R$700,000 to Rede Social Media Design Ltda. This payment was part of the arrangement with VaideBet, approved without the finance director’s knowledge, who was away at the time.
Questions arose when the funds transferred to Neoway Soluções, linked to a little-known partner residing in Peruíbe, threw red flags on the deal’s legitimacy.
As tensions escalate, VaideBet has signaled its readiness to cut ties, citing the corruption clause in their contract. This could see Corinthians facing a significant fine if found responsible for the contract breach, complicating their financial stability further.
The pressure mounts for Corinthians to clean house. Especially since, asides this, there’s been a recent court order mandating a R$14 million seizure from Corinthians due to unpaid image rights for four ex-players.
The community and fans are watching, hopeful for a resolution that restores trust and steers their beloved club away from scandal.
