STJD to Hold Private Hearing in Flamengo’s Bruno Henrique Betting Scandal
The Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD) has scheduled a private hearing for next Monday to investigate Flamengo striker Bruno Henrique in connection with allegations that he deliberately forced a yellow card during a 2023 Brazilian Championship match against Santos to benefit bettors. Flamengo’s Bruno Henrique Betting
The investigation was prompted by evidence provided by the Federal Police, and the STJD is currently finalizing its report to determine whether to officially file charges or close the case. Notably, no preventive suspension has been requested, allowing Bruno Henrique to continue participating in matches while the investigation proceeds.
Key evidence in the case includes messages uncovered on phones seized by the Federal Police. Among these, a conversation reveals that Bruno Henrique’s brother, Wander Nunes Pinto Júnior, asked when the player would receive his third yellow card, to which Bruno Henrique responded, “Against Santos.” This exchange has raised suspicions of manipulation under Article 200 of the General Sports Law, which addresses the manipulation of sports results, carrying a potential sentence of two to six years, as well as allegations of fraud, which can result in a prison sentence of one to five years.
The investigation also identifies additional individuals involved in the alleged scheme. These include Wander Nunes Pinto Júnior, Bruno Henrique’s brother; Ludymilla Araújo Lima, who is married to Wander; and Poliana Ester Nunes Cardoso, Bruno Henrique’s cousin—all of whom are suspected of being connected to betting activities. Furthermore, a second group of bettors, comprising Claudinei Vitor Mosquete Bassan, Rafaela Cristina Elias Bassan, Henrique Mosquete do Nascimento, Andryl Sales Nascimento dos Reis, Max Evangelista Amorim, and Douglas Ribeiro Pina Barcelos, is linked to Wander and suspected of participating in the betting scheme. The Federal Police’s indictment issued in April may lead to formal charges in the Common Court, pending the decision of the Public Ministry of the Federal District.
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Bruno Henrique’s legal team has responded to the allegations by filing a request on May 20 at the 7th Criminal Court of the Federal District, seeking to dismiss the investigation. They argue that the player’s actions do not constitute fraud or result in match manipulation. The defense references findings from the Senate’s Parliamentary Inquiry Committee, emphasizing that “It is necessary to highlight that the criminal type of article 200 of the General Sports Law does not apply to the hypothetical situation of an athlete who deliberately receives a yellow card due to a sports strategy.” The Public Prosecutor’s Office is currently reviewing this request as the case continues to develop. Flamengo’s Bruno Henrique Betting
