Juventude forward Ênio said in an interview that he believes the investigations will prove his innocence. The 24-year-old player was the target of two warnings from betting houses for yellow cards received in games of the Brazilian Championship this year.
The two warnings involving the player are part of the investigation. The first was issued during Juventude’s debut, in the 2-0 win against Vitória, on March 29. The second was issued just over a month later, in the 5-0 defeat to Fortaleza, on May 10. In both cases, the betting companies reported a volume of bets that was much higher than normal for the striker to be cautioned with cards.
On May 20, at the request of the CBF, the Public Ministry of Rio Grande do Sul (MP-RS) carried out search and seizure warrants at Ênio’s house in Caxias do Sul and also at the Alfredo Jaconi stadium, in the player’s personal locker.
According to the MP-RS, investigations into the case are still ongoing. Ênio awaits the conclusion with anticipation and is confident that once everything is cleared up he will be able to do what he loves most, which is playing football.
Ênio claims he was not contacted by recruiters in suspicious games for Juventude
In an interview with GE, the striker commented on the issue of recruiters and said he had not received any contact. “At no time did anyone contact me, I don’t know how these things work.”
He added: “And if they had contacted me, I would have passed it on to people at my company, to a lawyer, to people at the club. But at no time did anyone contact me to do this type of situation,” he said.
Regarding his innocence and the investigation process, Ênio said he believes that justice will acquit him. “I am willing to do whatever the people at the Public Prosecutor’s Office ask. I have always been here. As I said, it is a situation that has left me very upset.”
“I have always been a very combative athlete on the field, I have always liked to give my best, to give my life for the shirt that I am wearing and which at this moment is Juventude’s. So I will always give my life for the club’s shirt and it is a situation that has made me very sad”, he stated.
