Senators call PF after president of Botafogo accuses manipulation of football results

✅ Receive news from Brasil 247 and TV 247 on Brazil channel 247 and on community 247 on WhatsApp.

247 – More than 100 football matches played in 2023 are suspected of being manipulated to favor bettors. Senator Jorge Kajuru (PSD-GO) announced the start of work on the CPI on the Manipulation of Football Games in April and said that the president of Botafogo, American John Textor, should be one of the first to be heard.

Furthermore, a request for an investigation to the PF into Textor’s allegations was signed by senators Jorge Kajuru (PSB-GO), Eduardo Girão (Novo-CE) and Carlos Portinho (PL-RJ). However, the corporation is under no obligation to open any investigation.

CONTINUES AFTER AD

Earlier this week, Textor, owner of SAF do Botafogo, sparked controversy by launching accusations on his website. Textor made accusations of manipulating games involving the São Paulo and Palmeiras teams. According to the businessman, five São Paulo players would have facilitated a game for Palmeiras, in October last year, in the Brazilian championship. The match in question ended 5-0 for Palmeiras, who ended up being champions at the end of the championship. Kajuru also said that Textor accused Palmeiras of bribing the referee.

The senator highlighted that Textor did not present evidence of the allegations in sports bodies, but would have sent this evidence to the Public Ministry. Kajuru also reported that Palmeiras and São Paulo have already announced legal measures against Textor. According to the senator, the owner of Botafogo had also said he had a recording of a referee charging bribes, but he would never have presented the supposed recording. Kajuru also said that the CPI on the manipulation of football matches needs to start its work soon and summon John Textor to provide information about the allegations.

CONTINUES AFTER AD

“If [as denúncias] are true, he must be applauded. But if they are liars, he has to be banned from football”, said Kajuru, who said he was very angry with the allegations without evidence. (With information from Agência Senado).