Corinthians’ HQ rocked by protest as fans demand revolution | OneFootball

Corinthians’ headquarters, Parque São Jorge, became the scene of high tension and deep-rooted frustrations on Tuesday as multiple organized supporter groups pushed through the club’s main gates, demanding immediate structural changes. The protest, led by groups such as Gaviões da Fiel, Camisa 12, Pavilhão Nove, Estopim da Fiel, Coringão Chopp, and Fiel Macabra, saw security quickly overrun as a crowd forced entry, chaining the gates and unfurling a banner proclaiming, “Closed for bad management.”

While no violence was reported, descriptions from inside the club detailed fear and chaos. Some employees—especially women—locked themselves in upper-floor offices as the bulk of protestors entered, only emerging when police arrived and secured the area. The supporters’ presence in the building lasted just over an hour, with officers stationed outside for the duration.

The organized groups released a joint statement framing the episode as a “peaceful act of resistance against the political system that has harmed Corinthians for decades.” Yet the atmosphere inside was anything but calm. Their demands—granting Fiel Torcedor members voting rights, urgent changes to the club’s statute, and punishment for those responsible for the club’s mounting debts—are long-standing sources of debate in the club’s often tumultuous governance.

The demonstration comes just days after Augusto Melo, the suspended club president, attempted to force his way back into power, triggering a separate confrontation that prominent ex-officials branded as the “most shameful day” in club history.

Inside the protest, Alexandre Domênico Pereira, Gaviões da Fiel president, told supporters: “Our only side is Corinthians. We’re not aligned with any faction. The ‘Corinthian revolution’ starts now, and we need everyone.” Their chants and banners also called out current and former leadership. The groups distanced themselves from parties on either side of the gathering political divide as the club heads toward a critical membership vote in August to settle Melo's fate.

Interim president Osmar Stabile downplayed talk of an “invasion,” characterizing the protest as an attempt at dialogue with leadership. He stated, “They came to talk, brought their demands. We’re here to attend to all Corinthians supporters.” He also promised tougher restrictions against agents’ access to the youth academy amid longstanding supporter concerns about interference in club affairs.

Romeu Tuma Jr., president of the club’s Deliberative Council, condemned the protest, arguing that “as just as the causes may be, nothing justifies acts that break the law and threaten the safety of our members.” He nonetheless reaffirmed openness to dialogue and acknowledged the push to reform the club's statute.

In the eyes of critics, however, the show of force from organized supporters is part of the very systemic issues they claim to protest, complicating rather than clarifying a path forward. As debate continues, the incident spotlights Corinthians' ongoing struggles both on and off the pitch—with fans, employees, and leadership all calling for decisive change, though with sharply differing visions of what that should entail.

Source: UOL, Globo