The São Paulo Deliberative Council approved the impeachment of president Julio Casares on Friday (16), removing him from office with 188 votes against, amid scandals involving financial irregularities and misuse of Morumbi suites. The decision comes as Civil Police investigate alleged embezzlement at the club. Harry Massis Junior assumes the presidency on an interim basis.
The São Paulo Deliberative Council, meeting in a hybrid format on Friday (January 16, 2026), approved the impeachment of Julio Casares with 188 votes against his continuation, with 223 councilors present. The minimum quorum for the meeting was 75% (191 members), and removal required two-thirds favorable votes, totaling 170. Council president Olten Ayres will call a General Assembly within 30 days for members to vote on the final removal.
Casares's downfall stems from scandals that eroded his political support, particularly suspicions of irregular use of suites at Morumbi stadium during concerts. In December, ge.com released audios suggesting a clandestine ticket sales scheme for a presidential suite at musical events. As a result, Mara Casares, the president's ex-wife and events director, and Douglas Schwartzmann, deputy director of youth football, stepped down.
Protests took place outside Morumbi, with banners calling Mara 'rat' and Douglas 'thief', plus a sound truck with threats like 'If you don't vote, all hell will break loose'. Casares's girlfriend, actress Mara Carvalho, reported on Instagram receiving social media threats, mistaken for his ex-wife: 'I am Julio Casares's girlfriend, and I think everything that's happening is very regrettable. I've received threats, people wanting to lynch me [...] Regrettable the sick attitude of human beings.'
Civil Police maintain an inquiry into irregularities in the football department and the club's and Casares's bank accounts, including R$1.5 million in personal deposits and 35 withdrawals totaling R$11 million from 2021 to 2025. Casares's defense, by lawyers Daniel Bialski and Bruno Borragine, states the transactions have 'legitimate and lawful origin', consistent with his prior private sector high remuneration, and promised to present documents.
Harry Massis Junior, 80, from the Vanguarda group, assumes interim presidency. He was part of Casares's previous administrations but voted for impeachment after breaking the coalition. The 3rd Civil Court of Butantã authorized the hybrid meeting on Monday (12), resolving statutory disputes.
