Vitor Mendes is no longer an Atlético Mineiro player. His involvement in the match-fixing scheme was the reason for his departure from the club.
At 24, he was linked to Fluminense. However, the contract with the Rio team was also terminated early.
Punishment by the STJD for manipulation of results
In September, a decision by the STJD had repercussions. Vitor Mendes was harshly punished. The reason? His participation in the results match-fixing in the Brasileirão.
For this, he was punished with 720 days of suspension and a fine of R$70,000.
Before this decision, Fluminense had already removed him. His name was mentioned in Operation Maximum Penalty. While messages on WhatsApp brought to light a possible bribery.
Thus, he would have accepted a yellow card playing for Juventude.
Vitor Mendes’ career in football
Vitor Mendes began his journey at Atlético in 2018, coming from the youth teams. In the main team, he had few opportunities. He participated in three games in the 2022 Campeonato Mineiro.
Later, Fluminense requested his loan, at the request of coach Fernando Diniz.
His career is full of twists and turns. He started as a striker, then moved to midfielder and, finally, established himself as a defender.
His start was at Paysandu, in 2009. He later had a brief time in Santos.
At Juventude, he reached the mark of 60 games in a season. But the continuity of his career is threatened.
He is currently away from football due to his involvement in match-fixing and should remain away from the field for 2 years.
What is the Maximum Penalty Operation?
Operation Maximum Penalty is carried out by the Public Ministry of Goiás and investigates a criminal group that tried to interfere in Brazilian football.
Thus, the scandal involving players came to light in February this year and investigations were soon started, which include both Series B and Series A games of the Brazilian Championship.
Since then, countless players have been punished by the STJD with fines, suspensions and even bans.
