São Paulo, Brazil – Brazilian soccer has once again been rocked by a match-fixing scandal involving sports betting. This time, the spotlight falls on Bruno Henrique, a high-profile forward for Flamengo, one of Brazil’s most storied clubs.
On Tuesday, federal police indicted the 34-year-old player following an investigation that spanned more than 18 months. Authorities allege that Bruno Henrique conspired with relatives and friends to profit from bets placed on him receiving a yellow card during a match between Flamengo and Santos, held in Brasília in November 2023.
In that match, Bruno Henrique did indeed receive a yellow card after vehemently protesting a foul he had committed late in the game, which Flamengo lost 2–1. Alongside the player, police also indicted his brother, Wander Nunes Pinto Júnior, his sister-in-law, a cousin, and six friends. All face charges of sports fraud and criminal deception.
According to the Federal Police, investigators reviewed nearly 4,000 messages exchanged between Bruno Henrique and his brother. In the conversations, Wander asked to be alerted in advance of a match in which Bruno planned to draw a yellow card. Bruno later responded that he would be cautioned in the game against Santos. Wander then replied that he would set aside money for the bet.
The bets were placed on two platforms: Betano and Galera.bet. Wander reportedly wagered 380 Brazilian reais (about $65), and earned a return of 1,180 reais (roughly $200). His wife and a cousin also placed similar bets and earned identical returns. Authorities have not disclosed the amounts bet or the profits earned by the other individuals under investigation.
The case has now been referred to federal prosecutors, who will decide whether to pursue criminal charges in court. If convicted, the accused could face up to five years in prison.
The scandal bears similarities to an ongoing case in England involving Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paquetá, currently playing for West Ham United. Paquetá is under investigation for alleged involvement in a comparable betting scheme and faces the prospect of a lifetime ban from football. His case went before an independent tribunal in March and, though initially expected to conclude within three weeks, proceedings were delayed due to the complexity of the case. A verdict is now not expected before June.
Featured Image: Flamengo striker Bruno Henrique (Photo credit: CR Flamengo via Instagram)
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