Players in top-level football leagues in both North and South America have been pre-emptively suspended after Brazilian authorities announced a federal investigation into match fixing.
The announcement comes a day after the state of Goias accused 16 people of manipulating the results of 13 matches in Brazil’s Serie A and Serie B, as well as the state championship in 2022 and 2023.
”The measure was taken … after the disclosure athletes from main division clubs of Brazilian soccer were suspected of collaborating with gangs that would act through sports betting,” a statement from the country’s Ministry of Justice and Public Security read.
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According to the Goias Public Prosecutor’s office, one player was given $150,000 for a receiving a red card with $15,000 paid upfront.
“Faced with evidence of manipulation of results in sports competitions, with interstate and even international repercussions, I am determining today that an inquiry be instituted at the Federal Police for the legally applicable investigations,” the country’s Justice Minister Flavio Dino tweeted.
In a statement, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said it’s president Ednaldo Rodrigues has requested the involvement of federal police and the governing body “will be available to provide all the necessary support.”
It added there was no possibility that the championships would be suspended and said it had “not yet been officially informed by the authorities about the facts.”
“I have been working together with FIFA, other international entities, as well as Brazilian clubs and Federations, with the aim of combating any and all types of crime, fraud or illicit action within football,” Rodrigues said.
“I defend preventive suspension based on concrete suspicions and even the banishment from the sport in proven cases. Those who commit crimes should not be part of Brazilian and world football.”
As a result of the investigation, some Brazilian clubs have reportedly suspended some of their players pre-emptively.
The Colorado Rapids, a Major League Soccer club in the United States, confirmed that one of their players is connected to the Brazilian match-fixing scandal. ESPN reports that player is winger Max Alves.
“We are aware of the reports regarding a Colorado Rapids player in connection with unlawful sports gambling,” the club said without naming the player.
“We take matters of this nature seriously and seek at all times to protect the integrity of the game. The player has been removed from all team activities while MLS conducts an investigation into the matter.”
In addition to the Colorado Rapids player, MLS also said in a statement one former player was involved in “unlawful sports gambling”.
“The integrity of the game is critical to the league and MLS takes seriously these allegations and any contravention of the league’s integrity rule,” MLS said.
“The current player has been removed from team activities pending an investigation into this matter, which will begin promptly.”
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