Brazil Strengthens Penalties for Match-Fixing in Sports Law Reform

Brazil Moves to Enforce Harsher Penalties for Match-Fixing Crimes

Imagine a world where the integrity of sports is compromised by corruption, where the outcome of matches is determined not by skill, but by illicit deals. This is a reality Brazil is fighting against. The country’s Constitution and Justice Committee (CCJ) of the Chamber of Deputies has taken a decisive step by passing a bill that seeks to impose harsher penalties for match-fixing. This critical move aims to protect the sanctity of sports, particularly football, a cultural cornerstone in Brazil.

Strengthening Brazil’s Sports Law

The bill is designed to amend Brazil’s General Sports Law and was originally authored by Representative Bandeira de Mello. However, it gained significant traction after being revised by Representative Orlando Silva. The existing penalties for those guilty of match-fixing include a prison term of between two and six years, coupled with a substantial fine. The revised bill proposes to increase these penalties by a third to a half for individuals directly involved in sports, such as referees, players, coaches, bettors, agents, and even managers and directors of sports clubs.

Furthermore, the amended legislation introduces a mandatory prison sentence of two to six years for anyone soliciting or recruiting others—be they referees, athletes, or sports directors—to participate in match manipulation. The sports committee has already given the bill its approval, and it now moves to the plenary of the Chamber of Deputies. However, the bill must also pass through the Senate before it can be enacted into law.

Ensuring Sporting Integrity

Representative Silva emphasized the importance of this legislation in maintaining the integrity of sports in Brazil. “Unfortunately, match-fixing in sports is an old problem,” Silva noted. “What we have to do, therefore, is propose changes, especially by imposing more severe sanctions than the current ones.”

The call for stronger measures comes at a time when Brazil is preparing to regulate its sports betting market, which is set to launch in January 2025. The Paraná State Lottery (Lottopar) has already taken proactive steps by publishing an ordinance that explicitly bans athletes, coaches, referees, and sports administrators who could influence game outcomes from engaging in sports betting. This ordinance is in line with “best international practices” and aims to combat the growing concerns around match-fixing.

The Broader Context of Match-Fixing in Brazil

The regulation of sports betting in Brazil is increasingly overshadowed by allegations of widespread match manipulation in football, the nation’s most beloved sport. The situation escalated when American businessman John Textor, owner of Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas, accused São Paulo players of match-fixing in a match against Palmeiras. Textor claimed to have evidence of bribed referees, leading to a heated public exchange and calls for thorough investigations.

The International Betting Integrity Association’s (IBIA) 2023 Integrity Report placed Brazil third for suspicious sports betting notifications, with 11 reports, all related to football. However, efforts to address this issue are making headway. According to Felippe Marchetti, Sportradar’s Integrity Partnership Manager for Brazil, the launch of a parliamentary inquiry commission (CPI) and advances in technology have significantly reduced match-fixing cases in 2024.

As Brazil prepares to regulate its sports betting market, the passage of this bill marks a significant step toward protecting the integrity of its sports. With harsher penalties and a clear commitment from lawmakers, Brazil aims to deter those who would compromise the fairness of the game. The battle against match-fixing is far from over, but with these legislative measures, the country is sending a strong message: corruption will not be tolerated in Brazilian sports.

This movement towards stricter enforcement highlights Brazil’s dedication to safeguarding the integrity of its beloved sports, ensuring that the thrill of competition remains untarnished by corruption.