Politics · Brazil · 3 hrs ago
São Paulo prosecutors seek Corinthians vice-president's detention
São Paulo prosecutors asked a court to detain Corinthians vice-president Armando Mendonça while a criminal case against him continues.
The case concerns suspected misappropriation of sports equipment supplied to the club by Nike.
The request followed the dismissal of Marcelo Munhoes, a former club technology director and a key prosecution witness.
Prosecutors say the firing, shortly before a hearing set for November 10, could intimidate witnesses or affect evidence.
Mendonça’s defense says the dismissal was an internal political matter and calls the prosecution’s request abusive.
Prosecutors also seek other measures to protect witnesses and say they will open a new investigation into the circumstances of the dismissal.
São Paulo prosecutors have asked a court to consider the preventive detention of Corinthians vice-president Armando Mendonça.
The request follows the dismissal of Marcelo Munhoes, a key prosecution witness in a case involving suspected diversion of sportswear supplied to the club by Nike.
Prosecutor Cássio Roberto Conserino said the dismissal, shortly before a hearing scheduled for November 10, could intimidate witnesses and interfere with evidence.
Mendonça’s defense called the request abusive and said Munhoes’s dismissal was an internal political matter.
Prosecutors also requested alternative precautionary measures and said they would open a new investigation into the dismissal.
- Who
- São Paulo prosecutors are seeking measures against Corinthians vice-president Armando Mendonça.
- What
- They asked a court to consider his preventive detention in a case over suspected diversion of sportswear. The defense disputes the request.
- When
- The request was filed on Friday, October 16, 2026, after Marcelo Munhoes was dismissed. A hearing is scheduled for November 10.
- Where
- The case is before the 25th Criminal Court in São Paulo and concerns Corinthians.
- Why
- Prosecutors say Munhoes’s dismissal could intimidate witnesses and interfere with evidence. The defense says the dismissal was an internal political matter.
São Paulo prosecutors
Armando Mendonça’s defense
Dismissal of witness
São Paulo prosecutors
Prosecutors say Munhoes’s dismissal shortly before the hearing raises concern about intimidation and interference with evidence.
Armando Mendonça’s defense
The defense says the dismissal was an internal political event at the club.
Evidence of Mendonça’s role
São Paulo prosecutors
Prosecutors seek preventive detention and say the circumstances warrant investigation.
Armando Mendonça’s defense
The defense says there is no evidence that Mendonça influenced the dismissal and that decisions on club directors are the president’s prerogative.
Prosecutor’s conduct
São Paulo prosecutors
Prosecutor Cássio Roberto Conserino requested measures to protect witnesses and the criminal process.
Armando Mendonça’s defense
The defense accuses Conserino of partiality and says his request is abusive.
Corinthians dismissed Marcelo Munhoes, then the club’s director of information technology.
São Paulo prosecutors filed a request for Mendonça’s preventive detention and sought alternative precautionary measures.
A hearing in the case is scheduled.
- Defendant
- Armando Mendonça, Corinthians vice-president
- Witness
- Marcelo Munhoes, former director of information technology at Corinthians
- Prosecutor
- Cássio Roberto Conserino
- Hearing date
- November 10
- Underlying case
- Suspected diversion of sportswear supplied by Nike to Corinthians
2 sources
What people are saying
The dismissal represents an event proper to the political environment of Sport Club Corinthians Paulista
the dismissal of Marcelo Munhoes, a key witness for the Public Prosecutor's Office, occurred on the eve of the evidentiary hearing, scheduled for November 10
I considered it necessary to report the circumstances of my departure