09.10.2026 11:22
In the fake coaching license scandal that erupted in Brazilian football, Fenerbahçe legend Alex de Souza and former Galatasaray star Felipe Melo were also named. It was alleged that former Argentine footballer Alejandro Mancuso reduced the coaching course, which normally lasts three years, to 10 days for about 18 thousand euros. While it was announced that the documents at the center of the investigation were fake, Felipe Melo said that after becoming suspicious, he got back the money he had paid.
Brazilian football is reeling from a fake coaching license scandal that also involves the names of world-famous former footballers. A two-year investigation revealed that former Argentine international footballer Alejandro Mancuso promised to obtain licenses for footballers who wanted to become coaches in a short time.
It was said that coaching courses in the PRO, A, B and C categories, which normally take about three years, could be completed in only 10 days for approximately 18,000 euros.
According to the allegations, Mancuso argued that having played professional football for many years was enough to persuade the footballers.
ALEX DE SOUZA, FELIPE MELO AND LUGANO ARE ALSO ON THE LIST
The names of many well-known figures who played in Turkey also appeared in the investigation. Along with Fenerbahçe's legendary footballer Alex de Souza, Galatasaray's former star Felipe Melo and Fenerbahçe's former captain Diego Lugano, Roberto Carlos, Dejan Petkovic, Luiz Gustavo, Paulinho, Paolo Guerrero and Thiago Silva were also among the names mentioned in the report.
However, the players' situations in the process differ from one another. Some stated that they received the documents but did not use them, while others said they believed the training offered to them was valid.
"DO YOU NEED A THREE-YEAR COURSE?"
It was alleged that Mancuso said he was acting on behalf of the Argentine Football Association in his conversations with the players. In the published audio recordings, it was stated that Mancuso explained that normal training lasted about three years, but with an accelerated program four different licenses could be issued between one week and 10 days.
It was reported that the former footballer tried to make his offer attractive with the words, "You have played football your whole life, do you need a three-year course?"
FELIPE MELO GOT HIS MONEY BACK
Felipe Melo, who was named in the scandal, stated that he took action when he began to suspect the validity of the documents given to him. Melo, who said he wanted to learn the dates of the in-person classes but that Mancuso never gave a date, said this made him suspicious. The former Galatasaray footballer explained that he removed information about the licenses from his accounts and requested a refund of the money he paid. Melo stated that, unlike many other names, he was able to get his money back.
DIEGO SOUZA: I AM VERY AFRAID OF THE CONSEQUENCES
Diego Souza, one of the footballers named, expressed that he was greatly disappointed after learning that the documents were fake. Souza, who said Mancuso promised him a coaching license with international validity, said he accepted the offer in order to continue his profession after retiring from football. The former footballer, who stated that he was worried because of what happened, said he did not knowingly get involved in document forgery and that he would do what was necessary to correct the situation.
A STATEMENT CAME FROM ARGENTINA: THE DOCUMENTS ARE FAKE
The Argentine Football Coaches Association (ATFA) announced that Alejandro Mancuso was never authorized to represent the institution. The institution reported that the documents issued through Mancuso are not valid. Mancuso, however, denied the accusations against him and argued that he only helped the people who consulted him. The incident, which came to the agenda after suspicious licenses were found in a police raid carried out in 2025, drew attention again with the publication of the detailed investigation.