November 8 – Flamengo’s Bruno Henrique has been included in the latest Brazilian police swoop of individuals suspected of matchfixing.
Two days ago the Federal Police carried out 12 search and seizure warrants across of Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Vespasiano, Lagoa Santa, and Ribeirão das Neves.
Operation Spot Fixing, as it is officially known, was started by the Federal Police and the Public Prosecutor’s Office of the Federal District, in collaboration with the Special Action Group to Combat Organised Crime – part of the Rio de Janeiro Public Ministry.
Police raided homes included those of Henrique’s brother, sister-in-law and two friends, as well as that of Henrique himself, where authorities collected his computer and phone.
Flamengo’s training grounds and the club’s headquarters also had police cordons outside.
The match in questions was Flamengo vs Santos in 2023. Henrique received two yellow cards for a foul and then for protesting the first booking. He was sent off and Flamengo lost.
The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) and Sportrader flagged suspicious betting activity with an unusually high volume of bets were made on Henrique’s sending off.
If found guilty, Henrique face up to six years in prison.
“It is, in theory, a crime against the uncertainty of the sporting result, which finds the conduct typified in the General Sports Law, with a penalty of two to six years of imprisonment,” said the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Rio de Janeiro to SBC Noticias.
A Flamengo said: “The Clube de Regatas do Flamengo became aware, on this date, of the existence of an investigation, still ongoing, dealing with the possible practice of match-fixing and sports betting.
“The Club has not yet had access to the records of the investigation, since the case runs in secrecy of justice, but it is important to note that, while it will support the authorities, it will give full support to the athlete Bruno Henrique, who enjoys our trust and, like any person, enjoys the presumption of innocence.
“Flamengo clarifies, finally, that there was an investigation in the sports field, before the STJD, which has already been filed, but it cannot say that it is the same case and will wait for the investigation to unfold.
“The athlete continues to carry out his professional activities normally. He trains and travels with the delegation this Tuesday to Belo Horizonte.”
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