In a surprising move that rocked Brazilian football, Julio Cazares announced his resignation as president of São Paulo FC, one of the oldest and most prestigious clubs in the country and South America. This resignation came as a preemptive measure, just hours before a crucial vote by the club's general assembly that could have resulted in his dismissal following serious allegations of embezzlement.
In a poignant Instagram post, 60-year-old Cazares emphasized that his decision was not an admission of guilt. He wrote, “My resignation is not an admission, a condemnation, or an endorsement of the charges against me.” He explained that his motivation was to “preserve” his health and “protect” his family from the “attacks and threats” they had recently faced, alluding to the highly charged atmosphere surrounding the case.
Background of the crisis and details of the investigations
The crisis escalated after the São Paulo Advisory Council, the club's highest supervisory body, voted overwhelmingly to dismiss Cazares, with 188 members in favor, 45 against, and two abstentions. For the dismissal to take effect, it required ratification by the club's general assembly, a vote Cazares preempted by resigning. In a related development, the São Paulo State Public Security Secretariat confirmed to AFP that police had opened a formal investigation into suspicious withdrawals from the club's accounts between 2021 and 2025. According to local media reports, the amounts in question could reach nearly two million US dollars, placing the club's management under significant legal and media pressure.
Sao Paulo: A rich history faces a new challenge
This scandal casts a shadow over a club with a rich history of achievements. Founded in 1930, São Paulo is considered one of the giants of Brazilian and world football. The club boasts a record brimming with major titles, most notably three Copa Libertadores victories, three FIFA Club World Cups (or equivalents), and six Brazilian league titles. Legends such as Raí, Rogério Ceni, and Cafu have worn its jersey. This historical stature makes the current crisis all the more painful for its vast fan base, who always yearn for the administrative stability that reflects the club's greatness.
Expected impacts on the club and Brazilian football
This resignation is expected to have profound repercussions both domestically and internationally. Domestically, the crisis creates an administrative vacuum and instability at a critical time, which could affect the first team's performance and future plans. It also damages the club's reputation and raises doubts about the financial transparency of its management. Regionally and internationally, this affair once again puts Brazilian football under scrutiny regarding issues of financial corruption and governance, challenges faced by many clubs and federations in South America. The departure of Cazares, who was first elected in 2020 and re-elected in 2023, marks the end of a period that saw some sporting successes, most notably winning the 2023 Copa do Brasil, but has now ended in a scandal whose effects may take a long time to overcome.
