São Paulo partners reject reelection in defeat of Julio Casares

São Paulo’s associates rejected the proposal that would allow reelection as president. This was the main change in the club charter reform that was appreciated and rejected by the membership.

There were 818 votes against the changes, with 506 in favor and five abstentions, a result released on Sunday night (23). Members over 18 years of age with current monthly fees and at least two years in the Morumbi club were entitled to participate in the decision.

It was a hard defeat for President Julio Casares. Elected at the end of 2020 for a three-year term, he did not publicly admit it, but articulated the possibility of extending his period at the head of São Paulo.

“As always in my life, I salute democracy. The statutory reform proposed by a group of 82 councilors was not approved in the General Assembly,” said the leader, who responded to those who called him a coup.

“You must follow the partner’s wishes, without recounting the votes or taking legal action – that would be an attempted coup. I congratulate everyone who fought for their ideals in recent weeks,” he added.

The “no” of the associates also applied to another of the main changes proposed, the increase in the term of the directors from three to six years. This and other changes, such as the one that would institute the reelection of the president, had been approved by the Deliberative Council.

Opposition councilor Marco Aurélio Cunha celebrated. “Congratulations to those who voted no to this absurd statutory change. We are relieved, knowing São Paulo will continue to stand. Do not underestimate the intelligence of the partner and that of the true São Paulo”, he said.

There are those who believe that Casares and his allies have not given up on the idea, which may be revisited in the future. For the time being, however, the partners have decided that a person should not be allowed to serve two terms in a row as president.