Atlético Monte Azul (AMA) confirmed that there are suspicions of match fixing in relation to the games against Oeste, held on January 15, when the team was thrashed 5-1 at home in the opening of the A2 Series of the Paulista Championship, as well as the 2-2 draw against São Caetano, held at Anacleto Campanella, on February 4, also at A2.
The Police Station for the Repression of Sports Intolerance Crimes (Drade) confirmed the opening of a police inquiry related to the Monte Azul x Oeste game, but did not provide further information on the content of the investigation.
The Civil Police reported that, as for the game Monte Azul x São Caetano, in the seventh round of the A2 Series, the complaint had not yet been officially registered at the time of this report. In this game, Monte Azul fans raised suspicions about the performance of the player Cleiton Santana de Jesus, also known as Kekeu, who would have deliberately conceded corners to the opponent.
According to Atlético Monte Azul, the player terminated his contract with the club by consensus this week, claiming “no more environment” at the club after the fans’ complaint of match-fixing.
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Internal investigation
Monte Azul issued a note in which it claims to have launched an internal investigation and also to have reported the case to the Paulista Football Federation (FPF).
The AMA also reported that “it does not condone any type of unsportsmanlike practice or contrary to basic ethical and moral precepts, striving for fair and competitive football, vehemently repudiating the narrated conduct. Atlético Monte Azul will spare no efforts to ensure that any misconduct is corrected and exemplarily punished, within the limits of the law. Finally, the club reiterates its trust in the professional squad and technical team”.
FPF actions to combat match-fixing
The Paulista Football Federation (FPF) confirmed that it received the complaints about the Monte Azul x Oeste game and the Monte Azul x São Caetano game, and that it is in the process of investigation. However, due to the nature of the ongoing investigation, the entity did not provide further information.
Since 2015, the FPF has hired companies specialized in monitoring bookmakers to identify possible manipulation of matches, and complaints are investigated by the entity’s Integrity Committee and forwarded to Drade and the State Public Prosecutor’s Office for investigation.
