Brazil’s Superior Court of Sports Justice has issued a decisive ruling in one of football’s most high-profile betting cases.
Flamengo forward Bruno Henrique has been suspended for 12 matches and fined BRL60,000 ($11,112) after being found guilty of influencing a match outcome for betting purposes. The case revolved around a 2023 match between Flamengo and Santos, where Henrique intentionally received a yellow card. Federal Police uncovered a wave of suspicious bets on the incident, all placed from his hometown of Belo Horizonte.
Integrity monitoring firm Sportradar flagged the irregular betting activity, helping authorities identify a pattern of misconduct. Henrique’s brother, identified as the organiser of the scheme, received a 12-game ban, while three friends and other amateur athletes also faced suspensions ranging from six to seven matches.
The court acquitted Henrique of deliberately harming his club but ruled that his actions violated Article 243-A of Brazil’s Judicial Code. Reporting judge Alcino Guedes stressed there was no evidence Henrique acted against Flamengo, but he confirmed unethical conduct related to match manipulation.
Brazil’s football authorities have forwarded the case to FIFA, requesting an extension of the sanctions to ensure they apply internationally. This move signals a wider commitment to preserving the integrity of the sport at both domestic and global levels.
Henrique, who has represented Brazil at the international level, denied the charges, maintaining he did not commit the alleged offences. Flamengo’s legal team also defended him, insisting he never acted to harm the club.
Nevertheless, this ruling sends a clear message: betting-related misconduct will face strict consequences, with international implications for players who attempt to influence games.
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