Augusto Melo takes office and announces reinforcements at Corinthians – 01/02/2024 – Sports

Augusto Pereira de Melo, 59, took office this Tuesday (2) as the new president of Corinthians. In a ceremony held in the main hall of Parque São Jorge, he assumed the position he will hold for the next three years and used his speech to announce reinforcements for the team, in addition to the hiring of an auditing company.

The Ecuadorian left-back Diego Palacios, 24, Argentine midfielder Rodrigo Garro, 25, and midfielder Raniele, 27, were introduced as new players for the team.

Initially, the top hat had stated that four names would be released. However, as one of these athletes has not yet signed a contract, his name has not been revealed.

According to Melo, this is not Gabigol, from Flamengo. The top hat reaffirmed his interest in counting on the athlete, saying he had already sent a proposal to Flamengo, but warned that “negotiations are difficult”, although the two clubs maintain a good relationship. “We expect a response by the middle of next week.”

The vice-president of the Rio team, Marcos Braz, was present at Parque São Jorge this Tuesday.

Despite the club having a debt estimated at more than R$900 million and, according to Melo, “an administrative situation worse than expected”, Augusto Melo once again stated that he will not “give up a strong team.”

He also announced the hiring of EY (Ernst Young) to carry out an audit at the club. “This is not a witch hunt,” he warned, despite using part of his speech to criticize the previous administration. “But if someone acted in bad faith, they will answer for their actions,” he added.

A businessman in the textile sector, the new president already had a role in the club’s youth categories during Roberto de Andrade’s mandate (2015-2017).

To reach the position, however, he distanced himself from the group that elected all Corinthians presidents since 2007 and took advantage of the deterioration of the Renovation and Transparency ticket. The cycle ended with the end of Duilio Monteiro Alves’ term (2021-2023).

Chosen by former president Andres Sanchez (2007-2011 and 2018 to 2021) to run in the last election, held last November, candidate André Luiz Oliveira, known in Parque São Jorge as André Negão, ended up defeated by Augusto by a wide vote advantage: 2,771 against 1,413.

The dispute was marked by a series of attacks from both campaigns. The new president had to answer for a history considered problematic at União Barbarense, a country club of which he was a leader – and was accused of acting as an athlete manager, which he denies.

There is also a conviction for a crime against the tax system against him, which was seen by members of the situation as a loophole to challenge his candidacy, which was not accepted by the electoral commission, allowing him to emerge victorious in the election with the mission of presiding over the Corinthians.