SOCCER
Representation of the Flamengo striker also wants the immediate return of the seized goods
Published on November 12, 2024 at 2:32 pm
Bruno Henrique in Flamengo training Credit: Gilvan de Souza/CRF
Bruno Henrique’s defense spoke out publicly for the first time since the Spot-fixing operation carried out search and seizure warrants at addresses related to the player, including Ninho do Urubu, Flamengo’s CT. He is suspected of having intentionally taken a card in a match between the red and black club against Santos, for the 2023 Brasileirão. The attacker’s representation calls for the investigation to be closed and the seized goods to be returned immediately.
The defense’s argument is that the Federal Police and Public Prosecutor’s Office, which are investigating the athlete, did not verify the analysis method of the International Betting Integrity Association (Ibia, its acronym in English) based on information passed on by three bookmakers. The bets informed the association when they noticed suspicious movements, such as many high bets on cards for Bruno Henrique, something that was not common.
A request for analysis of this information was filed in court. According to the defense, the investigation team did not record, in the files, how the data was produced and extracted to base the police work.
“We hope that this investigation can also be archived quickly so that the athlete can continue exercising his profession with integrity and without further damage to his image, which has already been unfairly and irreparably damaged by an unfounded operation”, says the statement, which argues that Bruno Henrique has “an upright character and a successful career shaped by ethics and correctness”.
FILING AT STJD DOES NOT INTERFERE IN THE CURRENT CASE
In August of this year, nine months after the game between Santos and Flamengo, Conmebol’s Ethics and Compliance Department sent a statement to the CBF Integrity Unit. Bruno Henrique’s card move was described as “atypical behavior”.
The Sports Prosecutor’s Office officiated Sportradar, FIFA’s partner for monitoring. The company, however, did not identify any irregularities at the time of departure. On the other hand, the Federal Police reported that they obtained information about manipulation in the so-called “card market” according to reports from Ibia and Sportradar itself. Estadão contacted Sportradar about the case, but received no response.
“The alert did not indicate any indication of the athlete’s economic benefit, since any profits from the bets reported in the alert would be negligible, when compared to the player’s monthly salary”, says an excerpt from the Attorney’s Office note.
The STJD points out, however, that the archiving took place in the sporting context and that this does not prejudice any possible disciplinary process if the authorities conclude that there was an irregularity.
After the Copa do Brasil title, last Sunday, Bruno Henrique commented on the case. “I received it in an aggressive way. I didn’t expect it the way it was. But I believe in justice from above,” said the attacker. “God is a guy who has always been with me. My life, my trajectory, since I started playing football, has never been easy. But God has always been with me. I’m calm about that. With my lawyers, my manager, the people who are in this battle with me. I just ask that justice be done”, he told SporTV.
The player maintained his activities at Flamengo. The club said that it did not have access to the investigation files, as the case is being carried out under judicial secrecy, but that it will support the authorities and give full support. “(Bruno Henrique) enjoys our trust and, like anyone, enjoys the presumption of innocence”, says an excerpt from the team’s note.
The Spot-fixing operation investigates possible manipulation of the so-called “card market”. The name is related to the practice of illegal activity in a match, but is not related to the result. In total, there were 12 warrants in Rio, Belo Horizonte, Vespiano (MG), Lagoa Santa (MG) and Ribeirão das Neves (MG).
The investigation began following a communication made by the Integrity Unit of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF). According to reports from Ibia and Sportradar, which carry out risk analysis, there would be suspicions of manipulation of the card market in the Brazilian Championship match.
HOW DID BOKING HOUSES ARISE SUSPICION TO IBIA?
Betano is one of the sites where bets were placed and commented on the case. According to the company, monitoring protocols are adopted using technology trained to supervise activities on the platform. When there is something suspicious, the case is reported to the competent authorities.
“Incidents of this nature highlight the critical importance of regulation within the industry, highlighting the need for a national framework to enable rapid investigation and resolution. Betano remains committed to maintaining sporting integrity and stands ready to assist authorities when necessary,” added the enterprise.
