Impeachment of São Paulo FC President Amid Broad Corruption Probe Tied to Major Brazilian Football Clubs
Julio Casares is impeached as São Paulo FC president amid financial scandal, while corruption probes extend to Reag-linked investments in Corinthians, Palmeiras, and Atlético-MG.
- • Julio Casares impeached as São Paulo FC president with 188 votes in favor.
- • Casares under investigation for R$ 1.5 million in suspicious cash deposits.
- • Reag investment fund linked to major clubs faces liquidation amid fraud probe.
- • João Carlos Mansur (Palmeiras) and Daniel Vorcaro (Atlético-MG) connected to Reag and Master bank controversies.
- • Banco Central blocked BRB's purchase of Master bank due to suspected R$ 12.5 billion fraud.
Key details
On January 16, 2026, Julio Casares was impeached as president of São Paulo FC amid accusations of financial misconduct that have rocked several leading Brazilian football clubs. The impeachment vote at Morumbi Stadium saw 188 in favor, 45 against, and 2 abstentions, reflecting deep dissatisfaction with Casares amid investigations into alleged irregularities – including R$ 1.5 million deposited in cash into his account from January 2023 to May 2025.
The impeachment was initiated by the opposition group "Salve o Tricolor Paulista," gathering 57 signatures, including some former allies, citing illegal ticket sales and mismanagement as key concerns. With the São Paulo club's Deliberative Council president Olten Ayres expected to convene a General Assembly within 30 days, a simple majority vote is required for final impeachment approval. In the interim, vice president Harry Massis Júnior will serve as acting president.
Parallelly, investigations are expanding into broader football corruption involving Corinthians, Palmeiras, and Atlético-MG through the controversial investment fund Reag. The fund, recently subjected to extrajudicial liquidation by Banco Central amid the Compliance Zero fraud probe, managed significant assets including Corinthians’ Neo Química Arena fund holding R$ 672 million as of December 2025. João Carlos Mansur, Reag’s founder and a key figure under investigation, also holds substantial influence at Palmeiras, while Atlético-MG’s connection arises through Daniel Vorcaro, owner of Master bank linked to Reag and who holds over 20% of Atlético-MG shares. Vorcaro was arrested during the probe.
Further complications emerged as the financial institution BRB, Flamengo's sponsor, was blocked by Banco Central from acquiring Master bank due to a suspected R$ 12.5 billion fraud.
The unfolding investigations highlight systemic issues in Brazilian football administration and raise questions on financial governance in the sport’s premier clubs. As the probes continue, São Paulo FC faces a critical juncture in its governance with Casares’s fate pending the next members’ assembly vote. The broader football community watches closely as these revelations implicate several prominent figures and institutions.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
