Overview
- The four unnamed female referees and their lawyers met FCF officials on Friday, July 10, to present documents and testimony about repeated sexual harassment, non‑consensual touching and an alleged attempted rape in December 2023.
- On Tuesday, July 14, the referees filed police reports at the 1ª Delegacia de Defesa da Mulher in Fortaleza and the Polícia Civil formally opened a criminal investigation into crimes against sexual dignity.
- The Federação Cearense de Futebol instituted an internal Procedimento Interno de Apuração (sindicância nº 01/2026), appointed an independent commission led by a woman, and created a confidential channel for further reports and evidence.
- The accused, Paulo Silvio dos Santos, who ran refereeing appointments and career progression, requested a 30‑day leave and has said he will not return to the post while denying the allegations; several complainants have sought protective measures.
- The probes will examine a reported pattern of coercion tied to match appointments dating back to 2018 and could lead to CBF ethics review, administrative sanctions by the FCF, or criminal charges depending on evidence gathered.