President Osmar Stabile’s absence from the club’s training ground has irritated the Corinthians squad as payment delays continue, UOL reported.
Players were expecting to be addressed about their October salaries, due on Saturday, but Stabile did not seek them out for a conversation.
The situation adds to existing tensions within the squad, UOL reported. Stabile’s appearances at the Joaquim Grava training center have become increasingly infrequent. When he does visit, his stays are typically brief and he has minimal contact with the players.
Despite their dissatisfaction, the group has maintained a pact to focus on fighting relegation in the Campeonato Brasileiro, even with the financial problems, according to the outlet.
Corinthians paga salários atrasados de funcionários, mas atletas seguem sem receber O Timão quitou hoje os salários atrasados dos funcionários contratados pela CLT. Os prestadores de serviço como pessoa jurídica devem receber na sexta-feira, mas os jogadores e jogadoras… pic.twitter.com/FYPEjabyLd
Squad Value at Risk Amid Unpaid Wages
The financial crisis at the club is severe. Corinthians faces debts totaling R$ 3 billion and is at risk of losing its most valuable players for free due to the non-payment of image rights, R7 Esportes reported.
Three months of unpaid image rights and salaries have put the club in a precarious legal position. Brazilian law allows for a contract to be terminated by a player if an employer fails to meet financial obligations for two months or more.
According to Transfermarkt, the club’s highest-value players are Breno Bidon (€25 million), Yuri Alberto (€23 million), André (€16 million), and Rodrigo Garro and Hugo Souza (€12 million each). Any of these players could take legal action to break their contracts, leaving Corinthians without any compensation, R7 Esportes noted.
| Player | Transfermarkt Value |
|---|---|
| Breno Bidon | €25 million |
| Yuri Alberto | €23 million |
| André | €16 million |
| Rodrigo Garro | €12 million |
| Hugo Souza | €12 million |
Club Acknowledges Concern, No Timeline for Payment
The club is aware of the potential for player departures, Júlio César, the Corinthians football manager, told R7 Esportes. “Temor é óbvio que existe. Já conversamos sobre. É por isso que o clube tenta o mais rápido possível sanar essas pendências”, he said.
César told the press that the club is working on the issue but cannot commit to a firm timeline for paying the backlog, which amounts to up to R$ 50 million in salary and image rights for players, as well as arrears for employees and the women’s team.
Corinthians atrasa salários de jogadores e comissão técnica de Seedorfhttps://t.co/l3qyDoAeWu
“Tenho falado diariamente com o presidente e a diretoria para sanar isso, mas é difícil dar um prazo. A partir do momento que você dá prazo você se compromete. Assim que o presidente tiver com certeza os valores disponíveis as pendências serão quitadas”, he said.
Legal and Financial Consequences Grow
If a player successfully claims a contract termination due to unpaid wages, the consequences could extend beyond just losing the player for free. The club could also be subject to the payment of indemnities if a rescission is recognized.
If a rescission is recognized, Corinthians would be liable for compensation equivalent to three months’ salary, which could increase to six months in serious circumstances, with a ceiling at the residual value of the contract.
Once a player notifies the club of their intent to terminate, they may register with a new club even if the transfer window is closed. This does not prevent FIFA’s football tribunal from later ruling on the consequences of the termination.
Legal processes with FIFA in these matters tend to be relatively quick, with decisions typically being issued between 6 and 12 months.
⚠️ BASTIDORES | Elenco do Corinthians se irrita com 'sumiço' do presidente em meio a salários atrasados Osmar Stábile não procurou os jogadores para explicar o atraso dos salários de outubro, o que aumentou a insatisfação do elenco. Os atletas reagiram mal, mas não ficaram… pic.twitter.com/jZ7hdMo3oY
Fever Deal as Last-Ditch Effort
President Osmar Stabile has identified a potential solution to the club’s immediate liquidity crisis. He has informed the squad that a deal with the company Fever is the club’s last hope for paying its debts before the end of the Brazilian championship, R7 Esportes reported.
Fever, which is interested in taking over the club’s membership and ticketing programs, is willing to advance R$ 50 million to the club, according to the outlet. This agreement is seen as critical to resolving the current payment delays and preventing further fallout with the playing squad.
“Sanando essas pendências, a gente pode ficar um pouco mais tranquilo. Em conversa com o presidente, ele garantiu que está trabalhando para resolver isso o mais rápido possível,” César said.
