The tremors of a potentially explosive scandal are being felt in Brazilian football, as Goiás Senator Jorge Kajuru delivered a passionate statement to the senate plenary meeting, confirming that he has formally reported Botafogo owner claims of match-fixing to the federal police. The allegations, which implicate players and a referee in accepting bribes, have raised serious concerns about the integrity of the nation’s most beloved sport.
Kajuru, during the plenary session on April 2, revealed the detailed nature of the accusations that Botafogo owner John Textor has made. Textor has accused five players from São Paulo FC of accepting bribes from their rivals, Palmeiras, culminating in a shocking 5-0 defeat in the Brazilian Championship Series A game. In addition, Textor has stated that he possesses concrete evidence, including a recording of a referee involved in soliciting bribes.
Senator Kajuru informed the senate and the public that he dispatched the allegations in a written letter to Andrei Rodrigues, the director of the federal police, urging immediate action. The senator called for Textor to be summoned by the federal police within 24 hours, demanding that he present all the evidence and recordings in his possession to substantiate his claims.
“Because, for me, if he doesn’t bring the evidence and the recordings, he would have to be arrested here tomorrow – cell, handcuffs,” Kajuru fervently expressed during the gathering. The senator underscored the gravity of tarnishing the reputation of Brazilian football, a cornerstone of the nation’s cultural identity.
If Textor’s allegations prove to be accurate, Kajuru insists that he “must be applauded” for his courage and “respected” for his commitment to the integrity of the sport. However, the senator did not shy away from advocating severe repercussions if the allegations are found to be fabricated. “But, if they are lies, he must be banned from Brazil, arrested and never enter again in the country, because see the irresponsibility of this citizen,” Kajuru articulated.
In the context of this alarming development, Senator Kajuru took the opportunity to emphasize the critical importance of instigating the Parliamentary Inquiry Commission (CPI) on Sports Betting, which he previously proposed in December. Kajuru is pushing for the CPI to commence its proceedings “next week” to address the scourge of match-fixing allegations pervading Brazilian sports, which targets players, managers, and betting operators alike.
Senator Romário de Souza Faria, a renowned footballer turned politician, leads the investigative group. The commission is expected to endure a 180-day period and consists of 11 acting senators with an additional seven substitutes.
The senate’s response to the decision to report Textor was notably positive. Senator Eduardo Girão offered his unwavering support to Kajuru, echoing concerns over the need to protect the sanctity of football against the threats of match-fixing and undermine the integrity of betting. Girão insisted that the severity of the allegations made by Textor necessitated immediate action, beyond the scope of the CPI for Sports Betting.
The backdrop to this scandal is set against the recent legalization of sports betting and iGaming in Brazil by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in December, with the signing of Bill 3,626, marking a pivotal change in the country’s attitude towards betting. This legislation imposes a 12% tax on the gross gaming revenue (GGR), a figure substantially lower than the formerly proposed 18%.
Despite repeated delays that infuriated the betting industry, the bill was finally passed by Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies on December 21, including last-minute amendments reintroducing iGaming which had been previously excluded. Prospective licensees were instructed to submit their expressions of interest to Brazil’s Ministry of Finance by November 26 of the prior year.
The turmoil caused by Textor’s match-fixing allegations creates a disconcerting shadow over these recent developments, putting Brazil’s commitment to fair play and betting integrity under intense scrutiny. As the unfolding situation calls for a thorough federal investigation, the Brazilian football community and its global fanbase await conclusive answers and, if necessary, decisive action against any proven malpractice.
