Turmoil at Corinthians as Memphis Depay Releases Controversial Music Video
In a week marked by significant developments, Corinthians successfully renewed Memphis Depay’s contract and advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2026 Copa Libertadores. However, the atmosphere surrounding the São Paulo club remains tense.
On Friday night, Depay unveiled his new song “Don’t Panic,” which takes a direct jab at the club’s directors. The music video notably concludes with a fiery depiction of the Parque São Jorge headquarters.
The club’s management swiftly reacted to the release. According to journalist Samir Carvalho from Uol, the board has decided to levy a fine against Depay’s salary due to the song’s content. Corinthians contends that a clause in the Dutch player’s contract prohibits any involvement in the club’s politics and aims to protect its image. This breach could potentially result in contract termination.
In an effort to address the situation, Depay reportedly reached out to club president Osmar Stábile, expressing regret and clarifying that his intention was merely to voice his opinions through art, without anticipating the negative backlash.
An official statement from Corinthians regarding the matter is anticipated soon.
Currently, the club owes approximately R$ 56.9 million to Depay, amount which he accepted to reduce in order to sign an extension through mid-2028. The payment plan will unfold over four installments, scheduled for January and August of 2027 and 2028.
The total value of Memphis Depay’s new employment and image rights contract with Corinthians is around R$ 135.5 million through 2028.
“Peace” is not a word that tends to appear often in Corinthians news coverage.
In the week that Timão managed to renew Memphis Depay’s contract and secure a heroic qualification for the quarterfinals of the 2026 Copa Libertadores, things behind the scenes at the São Paulo club remain in “turmoil.”
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That is because, on the night of last Friday (21), the Dutch forward released the song “Don’t Panic,” with lyrics taking aim at the club’s directors and ending the music video with the Parque São Jorge headquarters in flames.
And Corinthians’ “response” did not take long to come.
According to journalist Samir Carvalho, from Uol, the Timão board decided to fine Depay through his salary.
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According to the report, Corinthians believes that a clause in Memphis’ contract, which bars any involvement by the Dutch player in the club’s politics and/or any “damage” to the institution’s image, could even allow for the contract to be terminated.
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The journalist also reports that Memphis Depay called president Osmar Stábile to apologize and say that he was only trying to express his opinion through art, without imagining the scale of the negative repercussions for the club’s image.
Corinthians is expected to release an official statement on the case shortly.
Corinthians owes around R$ 56.9 million to Memphis Depay, who accepted a “discount” on the debt in order to sign a contract extension through mid-2028.
This amount will be paid by the São Paulo club in four semiannual installments (January 2027, August 2027, January 2028 and August 2028).
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The combined total of Memphis Depay’s new employment and image rights contract with Corinthians through 2028 comes to around R$ 135.5 million for the club.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
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