Brazilian football players and business owners increasingly caught up in gambling scandals
In a seemingly never-ending sports-fixing saga in Brazil, a growing number of football players are facing accusations of match-fixing. The latest list, the result of three ongoing investigations, includes seven more players, as well as a number of people running illegal betting rings.
An investigation by the Goiás state government (MPGO, by its Portuguese abbreviation) found match-fixing in 13 matches of the 2022 Brazilian Primera Division. The revelation comes as Brazil continues its investigation into widespread match-fixing with maximum penalties. The investigation has now entered the third phase.
The Court of Goiás (TJGO by its Portuguese abbreviation) has approved the MPGO's request to prosecute seven players and seven others accused of involvement in the scheme. More players may find themselves in trouble next month. The new chapters of the drama do not include the ongoing investigation by the Parliamentary Committee of Inquiry.
Brazilian football is collapsing
Athletes named in the decision include Coritiba's Alef Manga, America-MG's Dada Belmonte and Recife Sporting Club's Igor Karius. Their status within their respective teams and in Brazilian football is currently in a precarious state.
Also, Jesus Emiliano Flores, Pedro Enrique Azevedo Pereira, Sidley Ferreira Pereira and Tony Anderson Dashier Val Carvalho is also on the list. They do not currently play for any Brazilian clubs, although they have both found new homes elsewhere. Azevedo Pereira, also known as Pedrinho, plays for Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine.
Other individuals identified by investigators as intermediaries and/or agents may now also face criminal charges. Names mentioned by MPGO include Bruno Lopez, Icaro Fernando Calixto dos Santos, Luis Felipe Rodriguez de Castro, Romario Hugo Dos Santos, Victor Yamasaki, Thiago Chabo Andrade and Kleber Vinicius Rocha Antunes.
According to the MPGO complaint, starting in Round 25 of the 2022 Brazilian Championship, these agents began seeking out players who were being offered money to receive yellow cards. In one case, someone offered to pay for a red card.
The gang allegedly earned approximately 720,000 reais ($152,496) through illegal activities. All defendants will be held liable for violations of the General Sports Act. This involves offering and accepting financial benefits for the purpose of manipulating the outcome of sporting events.
The Superior Court of Sport and Justice (STJD) summoned more players to testify on Thursday as part of its action to impose maximum penalties. When the STJD holds a hearing on August 8, you must attend.
This list includes Nino Paraiba, Richard Candido Coelho, Vitor Mendez, Nathan Palafos de Sousa, Diego Porfirio and Brian Garcia.
Brazil’s sports betting tax plan criticized
Match-fixing is not the only problem facing Brazilian sport. The tax rates are coming under criticism as the country prepares to launch its regulated market following recent legislative approvals.
The operator tax rate will be 18%, significantly higher than the originally proposed 5%. That doesn't make them happy, and the Brazilian Institute for Responsible Gambling (IBJR) wants the government to know that.
IBJR is the trade organization representing Brazilian gambling interests. Its members include Flutter, Bet365, Entain and Betsson. When the government finally signs off on the sports betting law, IBJR President Andrei Gulfi echoed the concerns around the world. High taxes could lead to an increase in black market gambling.
Gurfi explained that the tax rate could affect "the entire economic chain" related to the sports betting market. This could result in the industry focusing less on innovation and customer support, which could have long-term effects.
As market regulations become more stringent, it will become more difficult to incentivize participants. As a result, Gelfi believes users will continue to resort to offshore options that offer better incentives.
It's too late to back down now. Brazil has already begun to act, and only time will tell whether lawmakers understand the market correctly, or whether Guelfi is correct.
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