The president of São Paulo FC, Julio Casaresannounced his resignation a few hours ago, before the club’s general assembly voted to ratify his dismissal over accusations of embezzlement. “My resignation does not constitute an admission, a declaration of guilt or an endorsement of the accusations against me,” Casares, 60, declared in an Instagram post.
He explained that he made this decision “out of necessity, to preserve” his health and “protect” his family from “attacks and threats,” he continued in the same message. The dismissal of Mr. Casares was approved on Friday by a large majority (188 votes in favor, 45 against and 2 abstentions) in a vote held at the Morumbi Stadium by the Deliberative Council of São Paulo, the body that oversees the management of the club. For its final ratification, it had to be approved by a simple majority of votes of the members in the general assembly.
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The police are investigating the withdrawals made from the club’s accounts between 2021 and 2025, as confirmed to AFP by the Public Security Secretariat of the Government of the State of São Paulo. According to local media, it is a total of 11 million reais (almost 2 million dollars).
Casares was elected president of São Paulo FC in 2020 and re-elected in 2023. His term ended at the end of this year. His departure comes as the club prepares to begin the Brazilian championship season against defending champions Flamengo on January 28.
