Brazil: CPI on sports betting hears presidents of São Paulo and STJD

The president of São Paulo Football Club, Julio Casares, will be heard by the CPI on Match-fixing and Sports Betting at a meeting scheduled for Wednesday (22) at 11am. He will answer senators about allegations of selling football results. 

The president of the Superior Court of Sports Justice for Football (STJD), José Perdiz de Jesus, and the STJD's general prosecutor, Ronaldo Botelho Piacente, will also have to answer the collegiate body about the measures taken against match-fixing.

The hearing of Julio Casares as a witness is in response to a request from the president of the CPI, Senator Jorge Kajuru (PSB-GO). 

In his justification for the request, Kajuru argues that ‘the integrity of the sport and the trust of fans could be compromised’ and cites accusations made by businessman John Textor, majority shareholder of Botafogo. 

Textor claims to have ‘evidence of corruption and match-fixing involving well-known referees and players’, including recordings that indicate the sale of results by São Paulo players.

Senator Romário (PL-RJ), the CPI's rapporteur, is the author of the requests to hear José Perdiz de Jesus and Ronaldo Botelho Piacente. 

The aim is to obtain clarification on the STJD's actions in response to irregularities in football and allegations of fraud schemes. The court's relationship with public bodies to investigate suspicious behaviour should also be the subject of the CPI's questions.

VAR referees

The CPI will vote on requests from Senator Carlos Portinho (PL-RJ) to invite VAR (video assistant referee) referees Diego Pombo Lopez (REQ 50/2024 - CPIAE) and Frederico Soares Vilarinho (REQ 51/2024 - CPIAE). The two referees officiated in the match between Botafogo and Palmeiras on 1 November 2023, and the disclosure of audio recordings of their conversations generated great repercussions about the conduct of the refereeing team in controversial moves.

Portinho, in the justification for his requests, says it is essential that the CPI summons all the members of the refereeing commission who were present at that match, ‘in order to provide clarification on the criteria adopted during the game and the circumstances surrounding the controversial decisions.’ 

Agência Senado