In testimony to the CPI for the Manipulation of Games and Sports Betting, the president of Clube Atlético Patrocinense (MG), Roberto Avatar, expressed concern about the defeat to Inter de Limeira (SP), which occurred on June 1st.
Avatar stated that two of the three goals conceded were “strange”, but absolved the club’s board of any responsibility and called for an investigation to identify irregularities and culprits.
“I’m not saying that there is something, that something happened, because that is what the investigation will prove. Let it be proven so that the guilty parties pay and Clube Atlético Patrocinense is cleared of this cause.”
At the request of Senator Jorge Kajuru (PSB-GO), president of the CPI, the hearing took place. Kajuru mentioned suspected manipulation in the match, in which Patrocinense lost 3-0. The Federal Police (PF) is investigating the game, following a letter from the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) that mentions a report from the company Sportradar.
Absence of Air Golden representative
Anderson Ibrahim, representative of the company Air Golden, former Patrocinense football manager, did not attend the meeting for family reasons. The CPI decided to summon him for a new hearing.
Avatar emphasized the seriousness of Patrocinense’s management, mentioning that the club broke its contract with Air Golden after the suspicious match.
“Many people told me I was crazy, because the contract has a fine of 500 minimum wages. For someone who was relegated in the Minas Gerais championship like us […], 800 thousand is a lot of money, but, above all, it’s honesty of the club that was at stake.”
Investigations and statements at the Betting CPI
Senator Romário (PL-RJ), CPI rapporteur, mentioned that the PF identified an abnormal volume of bets against Patrocinense. He showed a video about the defeat and highlighted the need to investigate.
“If someone is guilty, let them be caught, let them be convicted and excluded from Brazilian football, because we’ve already been through a lot of hardships.”
Avatar, who watched the game in person, considered the first and third goals suspicious, but avoided premature conclusions, trusting the investigation to clarify the facts.
Furthermore, the manager reported that he had brief contact with Anderson Ibrahim, and that Air Golden left the club without paying the players’ May salaries.
“I’ve already proposed several times [to the players] to set up a commission, and we file a lawsuit against the company, so they can receive their salaries, and to this day no one has wanted to comment on it.”
Federal Senate lawyers will be called against William Pereira Rogatto
Businessman William Pereira Rogatto, investigated on suspicion of game manipulation, did not attend the previous hearing. Kajuru stated that he will take legal action against Rogatto for his unjustified absence, criticizing him for contradictory statements.
“In relation to you, I considered you only corrupt; now, you have achieved two feats: in addition to being corrupt, you are also a liar. And, at the end of this meeting, you will know how you will be treated by us here, in an absolutely respectful way. fairness, but treating you as you deserve.”
Kajuru announced that he will contact the Federal Senate Attorney’s Office to take the appropriate measures in the face of Rogatto’s unjustified absence.
Extension of the Betting CPI
Senator Jorge Kajuru (PSB-GO) also said he already has enough elements to extend the work of the parliamentary commission of inquiry until the end of the year. Furthermore, the Federal Revenue Service and the Federal Police sent new documents for evaluation by the CPI. Finally, more than 300 football matches are under suspicion of result manipulation.
