Depay defends music video showing Corinthians HQ on fire

What the report says

Memphis Depay has defended a new music video that shows Corinthians’ headquarters, Parque São Jorge, engulfed in flames, describing it as “just art.” The BBC Sport report says the footage appears in his track “Don’t Panic” and comes shortly after a contract dispute between the Netherlands forward and the Brazilian club. Depay released the video while Corinthians fans were already protesting over the club’s ownership, finances and governance.

The article says the video was published about a day after Depay helped Corinthians reach the Copa Libertadores quarter-finals. In the lyrics, he refers to rivals and to a vice-president who has become an enemy, though he does not identify anyone directly. Depay also said on social media that the video had been filmed months earlier, and he stressed that he is against violence of any kind.

The piece places the controversy against the backdrop of a recent pay dispute. Corinthians had initially decided not to renew Depay’s contract, but the club later said he agreed to a significant pay cut to remain until 2028. BBC Sport notes that this followed his public criticism of the club’s “unacceptable behaviour” earlier in August. The report says the saga matters because Depay is a high-profile player for a club facing financial strain and supporter unrest, and his artistic release risks adding to tensions around the team.