A possible betting scandal is currently rocking football in Brazil. 16 players from the first Brazilian league and one athlete from the American league MLS are suspected of having systematically manipulated games.
The Brazilian federal police are investigating evidence of systematic manipulation in professional football. The investigations were ordered by Justice Minister Flávio Dino, as he announced on Twitter on Wednesday evening (local time). According to a statement from the association, the President of the Brazilian Football Association CBF, Ednaldo Rodrigues, had approached Dino and the Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva with a corresponding request. CBF ruled out suspending the ongoing competition.
Betting scandal in Brazil: 17 players suspected of match-fixing
The Goiás state prosecutor is already investigating manipulation, and several players have been suspended from their clubs. In addition to 16 players active in Brazil, a professional who plays for the Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer is also under suspicion. The US club confirmed on Wednesday the suspension of a professional in connection with the allegations.
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.
Soccer Bundesliga
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Searches took place in six states in April 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.
Source: Stern
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