Betting scandal reaches US MLS league
‘Operation Penalty’ shakes up Brazilian football
05/11/2023 11:34 p.m
The Brazilian federal police are investigating evidence of systematic manipulation in professional football. In addition to 16 players active in Brazil, a professional who plays in Major League Soccer in the USA is also under suspicion. More than 100 names have emerged in the investigations so far.
The Brazilian football association CBF has asked the federal police for help with the betting manipulation scandal, which has now spread to the first division. At the behest of Justice Minister Flavio Dino, “Operation Penalty”, which was initially launched in the state of Goias a few weeks ago, is now being investigated nationwide. Even the US MLS league has been targeted by the investigators.
In Brazil, in at least six Serie A games, players are said to have been hired by a betting mafia for sums of the equivalent of 10,000 euros or more in order to get yellow and red cards or to owe penalties. Criminal charges have already been filed against 16 people. Searches took place in six states and nine players were questioned. At the time, investigators were unable to say whether they actually received money to manipulate games. They were offered up to 100,000 reais (about 18,000 euros) by betting sponsors.
Seven players were suspended by their clubs in Brazil on Wednesday. Two are active at CA Paranaense, two at Coritiba FC and one each at EC Cruzeiro Belo Horizonte, Fluminense Rio de Janeiro and América FC. Another FC Santos professional was released on Tuesday. The players have had their lawyers deny any involvement in the manipulation or have not yet spoken publicly.
More than 100 names have emerged in the investigations so far, including those of US club players Max Alves (Colorado Rapids) and Zeca (Houston Dynamo). Colorado announced on Thursday that it would release its player “from all team activities while MLS investigates,” without naming Alves.
The CBF sees itself as a victim, like the betting providers, who curiously enough as financially strong sponsors have a foot in the door of all 20 first division teams. Association President Ednaldo Rodrigues announced: “There is no chance of abandoning the current competition.” Rather, the 69-year-old calls for draconian penalties against players and other people involved in the scandal.