Several prominent names in Brazilian football, including Thiago Silva and Roberto Carlos, have become embroiled in a major coaching licence scandal.
Former Argentina international Alejandro Mancuso is at the centre of the allegations. Mancuso previously played for Flamengo and Palmeiras and later worked as Diego Maradona’s assistant.
As per a two-year investigation by UOL, Mancuso offered accelerated coaching qualifications to high-profile footballers.
Record relayed the investigation, which names Thiago Silva and Roberto Carlos among those involved.
Felipe Melo, Diego Lugano, Dejan Petkovic and Paolo Guerrero were also named. Luiz Gustavo, Alex de Souza, Paulinho, Diego Souza and Roberto Assis also feature in the investigation.
The standard coaching programme takes almost three years to complete. However, Mancuso allegedly offered PRO, A, B and C qualifications within approximately 10 days.
Players were allegedly charged around €18,000 for the accelerated process. Mancuso approached players while they were still active, according to the investigation.
He allegedly claimed to represent the Argentine Football Association and offered to expedite their qualifications.
However, the Argentine Football Coaches Association said Mancuso never had authorisation to represent the organisation.
It also maintains that the documents connected with the alleged scheme are false. Thiago Silva’s representatives confirmed that he paid for courses which did not subsequently happen as promised.
Certificates eventually arrived, but Silva never used them because he could not establish their authenticity.
Felipe Melo also became suspicious after expected in-person classes were repeatedly not arranged.
He eventually requested his money back and successfully recovered it. Diego Souza has also expressed concern about the situation and potential consequences. Mancuso has denied the allegations against him.
The controversy began attracting wider attention following a police raid in 2025. Investigators discovered several licences bearing the signature of an official who had already left his position.
UOL’s investigation has now brought the alleged operation and the high-profile footballers connected with it into wider public view.
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