Flamengo (foto: uradna spletna stran kluba)
Flamengo’s Bruno Henrique is under investigation for alleged sports betting manipulation, accused of intentionally receiving yellow cards to benefit bettors, including family members.
Bruno Henrique, forward for Flamengo, is currently under investigation in Brazil for allegedly manipulating sports bets by intentionally receiving yellow cards in a Brazilian league match in November 2023. The investigation, confirmed by Agência Brasil, aims to determine whether the player’s actions were influenced by bettors, some of whom are reportedly his relatives.
On Tuesday, the Federal Police executed twelve search and seizure warrants as part of the operation, though the names of those under investigation have not been disclosed. If proven, the charges could lead to significant penalties, as they fall under Brazil’s General Sports Law, which criminalizes actions that compromise the "uncertainty of sporting outcomes." Such offenses carry potential prison sentences of up to six years.
Flamengo issued a statement acknowledging the investigation but stated that it has not been given access to the documents, as the case is under seal. The club expressed its willingness to cooperate with authorities and affirmed its support for Bruno Henrique, emphasizing that he remains under the presumption of innocence.
"The player has our full confidence and, like anyone else, is entitled to the presumption of innocence," Flamengo stated. The club also confirmed that Bruno Henrique will continue training and playing as usual and will travel with the team to Belo Horizonte on Tuesday for the upcoming Copa do Brasil match.
Flamengo also noted that a previous investigation into suspicious yellow cards by the Superior Court of Sports Justice was recently closed, though it is unclear if it relates to the current case.
The operation, known as "Spot-fixing," is being led by the Federal Police and the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Rio de Janeiro, following a report by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF). The CBF acted on alerts from the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) and Sportradar, organizations that monitor irregular betting activity.