São Paulo's director, Rui Costa, declined to discuss 34-year-old defender Robert Arboleda with Vasco and Internacional after the clubs made inquiries. It is reported that this refusal, combined with the defender losing his position in the team, led to Arboleda's dissatisfaction and his subsequent decision to act against the club's management. The Ecuador international joined São Paulo in July 2017 and is under contract until the end of 2027. He has been capped 39 times for his country, scoring two goals. His current market value is €600k, according to Transfermarkt.