On Wednesday (22), at 11am, the Sports Betting CPI will hear from the president of São Paulo Futebol Clube, Julio Casares. He will answer questions about the club’s allegations of match-fixing.
The president of the Superior Court of Sports Justice for Football (STJD), José Perdiz de Jesus, and the attorney general of the STJD, Ronaldo Botelho Piacente, will also be heard about the actions taken against the manipulation of results.
The president of the CPI, senator Jorge Kajuru (PSB-GO), called Julio Casares as a witness. Kajuru justified the request by stating that “the integrity of the sport and the confidence of fans may be compromised”, citing complaints from businessman John Textor.
Textor, majority shareholder of Botafogo, claims to have “evidence of corruption and manipulation of results involving referees and renowned players”, including recordings that indicate an alleged sale of results by São Paulo players.
CPI targets STJD measures and VAR referees
Senator Romário (PL-RJ), CPI rapporteur, requested the hearing of José Perdiz de Jesus and Ronaldo Botelho Piacente. In this sense, he seeks clarification on the STJD’s actions in the face of irregularities in football and allegations of fraud schemes.
The CPI will also investigate the court’s relationship with public bodies in investigating suspicious conduct.
Furthermore, the CPI will vote on requests from senator Carlos Portinho (PL-RJ) to summon VAR referees Diego Pombo Lopez and Frederico Soares Vilarinho.
Well, the two played in the match between Botafogo and Palmeiras, on November 1, 2023. The release of audio from that match generated great repercussions on the conduct of the refereeing in controversial moves.
Portinho highlights the importance of summoning all members of the arbitration committee present in this game to clarify the criteria adopted and the circumstances of the controversial decisions.
