Corinthians: Andrés Sánchez's defense speaks out after expulsion

The law firm that represents Andrés Sánchez, former president of Corinthians, published a note this Wednesday morning (27). The legal team expressed "absolute nonconformity" with the decision that resulted in Andrés' expulsion from the São Paulo club's membership.

The office stated that it will take "appropriate legal measures" to seek the nullity of the decision. Corinthians did not comment on the former president's defense note.

According to the legal team, the process that culminated in the expulsion was "marked by serious irregularities". The criticism was due to Leonardo Pantaleão presiding over the session of the Ethics Committee, in addition to the open and nominal vote "in non-compliance with the provisions of the rite provided for" with the club's statutes.

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Read the note
The firm Fernando José da Costa - Advogados, which represents Andrés Navarro Sánchez, expresses absolute disagreement with the deliberation approved by the Deliberative Council of Sport Club Corinthians Paulista, which determined the expulsion of its client from the club's membership.

The decision was made in a procedure marked by serious irregularities, and it is unacceptable that Dr. Leonardo Pantaleão chaired the Ethics Committee responsible for preparing the expulsion opinion and, subsequently, presided over the session of the Deliberative Council that submitted that same opinion to a vote.

It is also serious to carry out an open and nominal vote, in violation of the rite provision provided for in the club's Bylaws, indicated in the call notice, which expressly provides for secret voting.

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The irregularities were so evident that they raised questions from counselors during the session itself.

The violations found are not limited to the case of Andrés Sánchez, but represent a worrying precedent for all members, directors and advisors of the club, by weakening the minimum defense guarantees provided for in the Bylaws itself.

In this scenario, the defense will adopt the appropriate legal measures to recognize the invalidity of the procedure and full observance of due legal process.

The expulsion
Andrés Sanchez, former president of Corinthians, was expelled from the club's membership on Monday (25). The final decision came from the councilors, who met at Parque São Jorge to define the topic through voting.

In total, 112 councilors voted in favor of Andrés' expulsion, while 49 were against. The meeting had six abstentions.

The Deliberative Council followed the opinion of the Ethics Committee, which unanimously recommended Sanchez's expulsion.

Andrés was internally investigated for personal expenses with the corporate card during his last administration, between 2018 and 2020.

Understand the case
In July 2025, the former president admitted to having used the club card for personal expenses at the end of his last term, in 2020. Timão's advisor later reimbursed the amount of R$15,000.

At the time, Andrés claimed to have gotten confused because he had a card from the same bank used by the club. According to him, Corinthians' financial department did not notify him of the need to make the refund.

Still in 2025, the profile "@Prmalaoficial", on the social network X, published a credit card statement from the Corinthians presidency. The document shows purchases made in Tibau do Sul. The expenses include a boat trip, hotel accommodation and restaurant meals, totaling R$ 9,416.

In October 2025, Andrés asked to leave the Deliberative Council and Cori (Guidance Council). The businessman, who holds a lifetime position at the collegiate body, was denounced by the Public Prosecutor's Office for continued misappropriation, money laundering and false tax documents.

Prosecutor Cássio Roberto Conserino, in a press conference, stated that Andrés used the equivalent of R$480,000 from Corinthians for personal use.

The Public Ministry demands a refund of around R$1.1 million, including refund of amounts and compensation for moral damages.

It is worth remembering that former financial manager Roberto Gavioli was also charged by the Public Ministry.

The 2nd Court of Tax Crimes, Criminal Organization and Asset and Valuable Laundering of the São Paulo Court of Justice initially rejected the accusations of money laundering and ideological falsehood. The MP, however, filed a request to suspend the case because he understood that judge Marcia Mayumi Okoda Oshiro did not act impartially.

Andrés continues to comply with some precautionary measures imposed by the courts, such as the ban on contact with witnesses and Corinthians officials, the ban on leaving the country without judicial authorization and the blocking of accounts worth up to R$480,000.

Andrés Sanchez for Corinthians
Andrés presided over Corinthians on two occasions. The first term was from October 2007 to February 2012. The second was from February 2018 to January 2021.

As Timão's representative, he won the 2008 Brazilian Series B Championship, the 2009, 2018 and 2019 Campeonato Paulista, the 2009 Copa do Brasil and the 2011 Brazilian Series A Championship.

If the first term was marked by titles and the signing of Ronaldo Fenômeno, the second was harshly criticized due to poor sporting performance and the considerable increase in the club's debt.

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Source: CNN