Ex-Corinthians player takes club to court over unpaid millions | OneFootball

According to Globo, Jonathan Cafu has initiated legal proceedings against Corinthians, seeking R$2.5 million in compensation for alleged unpaid labor-related obligations during his time with the club. The claim centers on delayed or missing payments to his indemnity fund (FGTS) and associated fines, covering his contract period from 2020 to 2023.

Although Cafu spent 37 months under contract with Corinthians, he featured in just three first-team matches for the club. Much of his tenure was spent on loan, most notably at Cuiabá. Currently playing for Botafogo-SP in Série B, the forward’s case is being handled by the labor court rather than through the centralized civil execution regime (RCE), where Corinthians have attempted to consolidate debts with various creditors and establish a unified repayment plan. This means Cafu’s claim sits outside the club’s ongoing efforts to restructure its financial liabilities.

The legal process is still in its early stages, with a hearing scheduled for September 24. Judge Eduardo Rockenbach Pires will preside over the initial mediation between the two parties.

Cafu’s situation is not unique for Corinthians, who have faced a series of lawsuits from former players amid mounting financial pressures. The club has been working through the RCE to address a backlog of claims, but not all disputes qualify for this centralization, especially those filed under labor law rather than in civil courts.

This latest case underscores the continuing legal and economic challenges faced by Corinthians in the wake of ambitious contracting decisions over recent seasons. For Cafu, the dispute marks a rare headline moment after a largely anonymous stint in the club’s squad.

Source: Globo

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