Judge Bruno Paes Straforini of Barueri's 1st Civil Court has asked to withdraw from a case involving the auctioning of a mansion belonging to renowned Brazilian football player Cafu, which was auctioned off to pay debts in October 2024. Cafu accuses Straforini of improperly favoring the auctioneer, Denys Pyerre de Oliveira, leading to the sale of the property for R$ 20 million, which Cafu claims is only half its actual value. This discrepancy has prompted Cafu to seek annulment of the sale and to challenge the magistrate's decisions in the Superior Court of Justice (STJ) as reported in December 2025.

Cafu's legal representatives argue that the judge's actions have benefitted Oliveira, referencing an alleged conflict of interest wherein Straforini purchased a Volvo utility vehicle from the auctioneer in July 2021 and another of the same brand in February 2025, without disclosing the amounts. This relationship raises substantial concerns regarding the integrity of the auction process and whether the judge acted in a manner that compromises judicial impartiality. Such accusations carry serious implications for the legal proceedings, potentially affecting the outcome of Cafu's attempts to reclaim lost value from the auction.

As this case unfolds, it highlights the intersections of legal ethics and sports celebrity, questioning the accountability of judicial figures in cases where their decisions significantly impact high-profile individuals. The request for withdrawal signifies an acknowledgment of the potential biases and could lead to a new examination of how auction processes are conducted in Brazil, as well as the broader implications for judicial transparency within the system.