Policia-ouve-depoimento-de-Alex-Cassunde-sobre-parceria-entre-Corinthians-e-VaideBet
Augusto Melo, presidente do Corinthians — Foto: Jozzu/Agência Corinthians

Last Tuesday (25), Alex Fernando André, known as Alex Cassundé, gave a statement to the Civil Police in São Paulo about the mediation of the sponsorship agreement between Corinthians and VaideBet.

Alex Cassundé contacted the betting company after searching on ChatGPT, looking for tips on finding companies in the sector. He claimed to have found a VaideBet professional via Google, who demanded to negotiate directly with Corinthians.

Cassundé then approached Sérgio Moura, the club’s former marketing superintendent, who connected him with Marcelo Mariano, Timão’s administrative director. After this introduction, he said he was no longer involved in the process.

Millionaire commission, contradictions, receipt and blocking of assets

During his testimony, Cassundé denied having demanded the R$25.2 million commission that the club committed to paying to Rede Social Media Design LTDA, a company of which he is a managing partner.

He claimed that Corinthians offered 7% of the total value of the sponsorship agreement, which was R$360 million. This version contrasts with VaideBet’s official statement, which acknowledged the existence of an intermediary in the partnership.

Cassundé received R$1.4 million for brokering the contract. The agreement stipulated a total payment of R$25.2 million to his company. However, the club broke the agreement, preventing full payment.

The businessman stated that he was not seeking the remaining amount. His version increased the suspicions of the Civil Police, who blocked his cell phone and were considering blocking his bank accounts.

The investigation continues with the possibility of new statements from members of Corinthians and representatives of VaideBet. Cassundé’s testimony revealed a payment of more than R$1 million to Neoway Soluções Integradas, which he claims was part of a telemedicine business in which he was the victim of a scam.

Summary of the case between Corinthians and Vaidebet

Alex Cassundé participated in Augusto Melo’s electoral campaign last year, but said he acted voluntarily. He also stated that he was unaware of the 73 companies linked to his name. Lawyer Cláudio Salgado declared that there was no corruption and that Cassundé may have been the victim of a coup.

On May 20, journalist Juca Kfouri reported a scheme involving Cassundé and VaideBet. Corinthians paid R$700,000 to Rede Social Media Design Ltda, which passed on R$1.04 million to Neoway Soluções Integradas.

Neoway is a company registered at an address on Avenida Paulista, but whose partner is unaware of its existence.

VaideBet Corinthians
Photo: Hugo Rodrigues / Corinthians

Breach of the contract between Vaidebet and Corinthians

Finally, on May 27, VaideBet sent an extrajudicial notification to Corinthians, signaling the termination of the contract due to the news about the partnership.

Therefore, without satisfactory responses from the club, the company exercised the anti-corruption clause and terminated the agreement.

Now, Corinthians may have to pay a fine of 10% of the contract value and charge VaideBet a debt of R$6.3 million, alleging misuse of its image.