The Sao Paulo club voted at its annual general meeting today to oust Melo, who had already been suspended.

Melo, 61, has been charged with criminal conspiracy, money laundering and theft, according to legal sources.

The move followed an investigation into a sponsorship deal with the Vai de Bet gambling platform.

According to Brazilian media, documents showed that Melo set up a network of fake companies to divert money belonging to Corinthians, which is in financial difficulty.

Prosecutors have demanded Melo and other suspects in the case repay about US$7.2 million to the club.

The general assembly voted 1,413 to 620 to remove Melo, according to official results released by Corinthians, whose high profile supporters include president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

The seven-time Brazilian champions are currently 12th in the table.

Their star players have included Garrincha, Rivelino, Socrates, Roberto Carlos and more recently Javier Mascherano.

Melo brought in Dutch international Memphis Depay last year.