São Paulo FC is facing a deepening internal crisis as opposition factions within the club’s Deliberative Council work to gather support for an impeachment petition against president Harry Massis Júnior, according to verified reports from UOL and other Brazilian media outlets.
The movement gained momentum following Massis’ own formal request for the expulsion of Olten Ayres de Abreu, president of the Deliberative Council, which he submitted on Thursday night. Massis accused Ayres of “reckless management” in connection with disagreements over a proposed statutory reform that would reduce quorum requirements for structural decisions, including the potential transformation of the club into a Sociedade Anônima do Futebol (SAF).
The opposition group, identified as STP (São Paulo Trabalha pelo Progresso), has been coordinating efforts to collect the necessary 50 signatures required to convene an extraordinary council meeting where the impeachment process could be initiated. According to UOL’s reporting, the argument being evaluated by the opposition centers on allegations of reckless management, particularly noting that Massis was part of the administration under former president Julio Casares, who faced a similar impeachment process earlier in the year before resigning.
Sources indicate that tensions have been building over several weeks, stemming from disagreements within the Deliberative Council regarding personnel decisions, the retention of figures from the previous administration, and the handling of the statutory reform proposal. The reform, initially proposed by Casares in December, was referred to the Legislative Commission by Ayres after receiving approval from the Consultive Council. That commission consisted of councilors Luís Geraldo Sant’Ana Lanfredi, José Alberto Padin Iglesias, and Wanderson Martins Rocha.
Under São Paulo FC’s statutes, if the impeachment petition advances internally, it would first be presented to the Deliberative Council plenary for initial discussion. Should it be approved in a vote, Massis could be temporarily removed from office during the internal proceedings. The process would then proceed to the General Assembly of dues-paying members, which holds the final authority on any potential removal — mirroring the procedure followed during the Casares impeachment attempt.
The reciprocal actions highlight a significant escalation in the ongoing power struggle within the club’s governance structure. While Massis seeks to remove the council president through expulsion proceedings, the opposition aims to remove the president himself via impeachment, creating a rare scenario where both the executive and legislative leaders of the club face simultaneous removal threats.
As of Friday morning, neither Massis nor Ayres had publicly commented on the impeachment efforts beyond the formal documents already submitted. The club’s official channels have not released statements regarding the internal proceedings, and no dates have been set for council meetings to address either petition.
The situation adds to the instability surrounding São Paulo FC as it navigates competitive challenges in the 2026 Brasileirão season. With the club currently working to consolidate its position in the league table, the internal governance conflict presents an additional layer of uncertainty for players, staff, and supporters alike.
For continued updates on this developing story and other São Paulo FC news, fans are encouraged to follow official club communications and verified sports journalism sources.
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