Rubão comments on the expulsion of Augusto Melo from the association and talks about the political future of Corinthians

- By Mirella Ramos / Central do Timão Editorial

Following the decision by the Corinthians Deliberative Council to expel Augusto Melo from the club's membership, former football director Rubens Gomes, known as Rubão, commented on the result of the vote in an interview with Central do Timão. Present at Parque São Jorge, the leader spoke about his relationship with the former president, assessed Corinthians' political moment and defended the maintenance of the associative model at the club.

Initially, Rubão was questioned about the decision that culminated in the exclusion of Augusto Melo from the membership. The former director stated that he considers the measure a form of justice in light of the events involving the former administration.

Photo: Reproduction / Youtube Central do Timão

"I think justice was served. When I was on his side, I didn't know that he was a scammer, that he had planned to rob Corinthians. I think justice was served, that's all. Because the people who, according to the police and the Public Prosecutor's Office, start collecting money before entering the club, I've never seen that before."

Then, the former director commented on Corinthians' recent political scenario, which saw the departure of different directors in recent years.

"I think it's sad, because I've always been in opposition to Andrés. During his 16 years in power, I was in opposition. And then we elect a person trusting that person, and on the first day you discover that he is, according to the Public Ministry and the police, robbing Corinthians. That's what's happening.

It's regrettable, it's sad, but we're trying to do what we have to do, get Corinthians back on track. It's difficult, it's difficult, but we'll try to get Corinthians back on track. It's very sad, it's not pleasant for us. And when you trust a person and what happened happens, you are completely sold. And that's what happened to me. On the first day I discovered that he was stealing from Corinthians and I told him to fix it, because otherwise it would be a mess. And it did."

When asked about the club's administrative model, Rubão stated that he still believes in the associative system, despite the difficulties currently faced.

"I think so. I think Corinthians has lived in the associative model for 116 years. A lot of things have to change, we know that, a lot of things have to change. Now, we hope to be able to work. Corinthians isn't able to work. Every day is bad news. So we have to recover, because if you go back a few years ago, there was opposition, but there was a proposal. Today there isn't. There's just war, war, war all the time."

The former leader also spoke about the lessons learned after his experience alongside Augusto Melo and reflected on trust within Corinthian politics.

"No, I don't have any regrets because I didn't know he was the person he was. I trusted the person. I have no regrets. I would do it for someone else who was honest, I would. But I learned a lot. I learned a lot that when a person comes to power, they transform themselves. Then they put a box for their wife, a box for their nephew, a box for I don't know who, and then the bull begins, they start collecting money before becoming president.

Today justice was served, he was expelled. Great. Less bad. That's what happened. It's unfortunate what happened afterwards, because people had a vote afterwards and weren't able to vote, but that's okay."

When asked if he would place the same trust in someone in the future, Rubão said that he began to see the political scenario differently after recent events.

"So, you asked me the question if I learned. I learned a lot. So from now on I learned a lot. I'm going to think, I'm going to reflect and I'm going to investigate what I'm going to do, you know? When I went to talk to him about fixing the deal, he said... I said: 'Go ahead and I'll get you out'. He said: 'Yes, you don't have a vote'. I said: 'Okay'. Proven."

Finally, Rubão also commented on the relationship between Augusto Melo's expulsion and the process involving the attempted political coup at the club. According to him, the episode represents one of the most delicate moments in Corinthians' recent history.

"This question is very good, because, in fact, his expulsion was due to a coup he tried to carry out. Together with the people on today's agenda, they tried to stage a coup. And it is one of the saddest days in Corinthians history, in my opinion, because Corinthians is the team of democracy. Corinthians raised the flag of democracy, understand?

But he lost the vote on the 26th and, on the 31st, he wanted to stage a coup, understand? So, we will continue to be the team of democracy and the symbol of democracy. Neither I nor anyone else will be able to take away, nor do they intend to take away, this Corinthians label, which is one of the most beautiful labels that I think Corinthians has."

The post Rubão comments on the expulsion of Augusto Melo from the association and talks about the political future of Corinthians first appeared on Central do Timão.

The content Rubão comments on the expulsion of Augusto Melo from the association and talks about the political future of Corinthians appears first in Central do Timão.

Source: Timao Central