Shortly before the match valid for the semifinal of the Campeonato Paulista against Palmeiras, Ituano removed midfielder André Luiz due to a complaint by the Public Ministry of Goiás in case of alleged match-fixing in Série B of the 2022 Brasileirão. defended Sampaio Corrêa.
“With great surprise, Ituano Futebol Clube received information about the receipt of a complaint offered by the Public Ministry of Goiás against the athlete André Luiz, in case of alleged manipulation of results”, says the club’s note.
“Considering the seriousness of the complaint and in line with our zero tolerance policy towards this type of behavior, we decided to immediately remove the athlete from our squad”, he continued.
The alleged manipulation would have happened in the duel between Sampaio Corrêa and Londrina, for the 38th and last round of the second division. In the match, played on November 5 last year, the team from Maranhão won by 2-1.
In addition to the steering wheel, four other athletes would have accepted to receive an amount before the confrontation to commit a penalty in the first half. For Paulistão this year, André Luiz played in nine matches for Ituano, seven of them as a starter. In addition, he scored a goal.
He was removed from the squad and did not enter the field last Sunday, the 19th, in the semifinal against Palmeiras. The team was defeated 1-0 and eliminated from the state competition.
Official note from Ituano on the alleged match-fixing scheme
“With great surprise, Ituano Futebol Clube received information about the receipt of a complaint offered by the Public Ministry of Goiás against the athlete André Luiz, in case of alleged manipulation of results.
Considering the severity of the complaint and in line with our zero tolerance policy for this type of behavior, we decided to immediately remove the athlete from our squad.
Ituano’s legal advisors are already analyzing the case in greater detail. Upon completion of this review, we will take a definitive position regarding the athlete.
Ituano Futebol Clube reinforces its most absolute repudiation of attempts to corrupt football, committing itself to always support authorities and sports entities in the vigorous fight against this serious threat”.
