RIO DE JANEIRO (AFP) - A financial scandal engulfing Corinthians has claimed the jobs of the top Brazilian side's president and vice president.

A Brazilian court in July accused Corinthians boss Alberto Dualib and other board members of pocketing over 224,000 dollars from false invoices presented over a six year period between 2000 and 2005.

Dualib's lawyer, Jose Tolosa, explaining the reason behind the resignations, said: "They've stood down to protect the club, they don't want to draw on their positions to help their defence."

The scandal has also fingered Kia Joorabchian, the Iranian businessman who was a key figure in the long running saga of his client Carlos Tevez' transfer from West Ham to Manchester United.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Joorabchian who heads MSI, the company that holds the financial rights to Corinthians.