The sports betting CPI, which investigates a match-fixing scheme in Brazilian football, approved invitations for testimonials from players Lucas Paquetá, from West Ham (ING) and the Brazilian national team, and Luiz Henrique, from Real Betis.
The requests, made by the rapporteur of the CPI, deputy Felipe Carreras (PSB-PE), were summons, in which the deponents would have an obligation to attend, but they were transformed into invitations.
The commission’s expectation is that they participate by videoconference, since they must not be able to travel from Europe to Brazil in the middle of the season of games of their respective clubs.
Both are suspected of illegal involvement in sports betting schemes.
Paquetá is investigated by the English Football Association for allegedly being booked on purpose in a Premier League game against Aston Villa on March 12.
On the same date, several bets were placed in Duque de Caxias (RJ) by Betway, a bookmaker that sponsors West Ham, the team of Paquetá, depositing the maximum authorized amount.
The bettors made a matched bet: they would only receive the money if Paquetá got yellow and, at the same time, if Luiz Henrique got the same card in a game against Villarreal, on the same day, for the Spanish Championship. Both were punished with yellow cards.
On August 23, the sports betting CPI heard the testimony of the player Nino Paraíba, currently at Paysandu, who played for América-MG this year.
In the same session, an invitation was also approved for the President of the Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD), José Perdiz de Jesus, or someone representing him.
In addition, the deputies intended to vote on the summons of the president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), Ednaldo Rodrigues. However, the request was withdrawn from the agenda of the CPI on sports betting.
About the sports betting CPI
The sports betting CPI is chaired by Deputy Julio Arcoverde (PP-PI) and reported by Deputy Felipe Carreras (PSB-PE). Work began on May 17 with an initial term of 120 days, but this period was extended.
The initiative to create the collegiate was based on investigations carried out by the Public Ministry of Goiás that raised suspicions of match-fixing in games of the Brazilian Championship last year, as well as in state games this year.
Several players related to the scheme have already been judged by sports justice and have been punished with fines, suspensions and even banishment from football.
