Textor accuses four Fortaleza athletes of result manipulation; club repudiates accusation – Play

The North American John Textor, CEO of Botafogodenounced a results manipulation scheme in Brazilian football and, without showing evidence, accused four Fortaleza players to benefit the Palm trees in a 4-0 defeat suffered in the 2022 Série A, in São Paulo. For the director, the São Paulo team, current champion, “has been benefiting for two years”.

In an official note, the agent claimed that the athletes from the tricolor team, not publicly identified by Textor, “exceeded thresholds that would establish clear and convincing evidence of game manipulation”. In the respective match, the alviverde club had already won the competition title.

Through social media, Fortaleza’s board of directors “vehemently repudiated the statements made by Mr. John Textor, owner of SAF do Botafogo, who accuses tricolor athletes of being involved in a results manipulation scheme”. The club also claimed to take action, if necessary, appropriate legal measures against such accusations that “tarnish the reputation” of the association.

According to the North American, the manipulation of results was attested by experts and artificial intelligence – without citing a source or further details. In addition to Palmeiras 4×0 Fortaleza, the alviverde victory against São Paulo 5×0for the 2023 Series A, was also a rigged game.

Palmeiras 4×0 Fortaleza | 2022 Series A

Official note from Fortaleza

Fortaleza vehemently repudiates the statements made by Mr. John Textor, owner of SAF do Botafogo, who accuses tricolor athletes of being involved in a results manipulation scheme.

We regret that these statements made, without presenting any evidence, could tarnish the reputation of our century-old institution, thus causing damage to the club’s image. We do not believe in this way of playing football, we prefer the path of truth, and if Mr. John Textor has evidence, let him present it so that the guilty parties can be punished.

Fortaleza Esporte Clube hopes that everything will be clarified legally, and if necessary, it will take all appropriate legal measures.