Jorge Luiz Pacheco Eloy, president of Esporte Clube Nova Cidade de Nilópolis (RJ), appeared before the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry into the Manipulation of Games and Sports Betting (CPIMJAE), better known as ‘Bets CPI’, this Wednesday (27) .
He stated that there was no relationship between the upset defeat to Belford Roxo, in a game for the under-20 team, and the high volume of bets on the result. He explained that the team was under third-party management at the time of the match.
The hearing took place following a request from Senator Jorge Kajuru (PSB-GO), president of the collegiate, as part of the VAR operation, initiated by the Rio de Janeiro Civil Police at the request of the Rio de Janeiro Football Federation (Ferj).
Investigators found evidence of criminal activity at the Nova Cidade, Belford Roxo, São José, Brasileiro and Duquecaxiense clubs.
Unlikely turnaround
Senator Eduardo Girão (Novo-CE), presiding over the session, highlighted the under-20 third division game, which took place on June 5th. Nova Cidade led 3-1 against Belford Roxo in the first half, but lost 5-3.
This “unlikely turn” generated an unusual volume of bets in Asia, attracting the attention of compliance bodies.
Eloy reported that FERJ suspended the two clubs on suspicion of manipulation, but the Rio de Janeiro State Football Court of Sports Justice (TJD-RJ) acquitted them. This court is a private administrative body, outside the Judiciary.
He admitted not having watched the game, but mentioned a Palmeiras match against Botafogo in 2023: “this is football”. According to him, “in principle there is no suspicion, supposed suspicion of manipulation, no.
“It’s because the youth team demands a lot from the physical. And unfortunately we don’t have competent professionals to perform the role of physical trainer. They play well in the first half and, in the second half, unfortunately, it can happen like what happened with the Botafogo: lost physically, conceded four goals”, he explained.
Response to the president of the Bets CPI
Responding to Jorge Kajuru in a question read by Girão, Eloy denied any connection between the result and the suspicious bets. He says he is unaware of “clear and indisputable evidence” of the scenario that would have generated R$5,000 for a R$200 bet, and mentioned that this information did not appear in the TJD-RJ process. He stated that he does not know of people related to the club who have bet.
Regarding the dismissal of the under-20 coach, Ede Vicente, after two defeats, Eloy said that he was “natural in football”. Vicente, who also managed the team, was responsible for player transfers. Eloy criticized the outsourced management and plans to seek “repairs” from the company responsible.
Jorge Luiz Pacheco Eloy expressed discomfort: “[I’m] embarrassed to have involved the name of Esporte Clube through a company that we believed would be a suitable person, that would be a person who could be representing Brazilian football in Rio de January”.
He explained that the contract with the company aimed to “project certain players” and that similar partnerships are often proposed to the club. Eloy highlighted that, in his 11 years at the club, it was the first time that a company managed the under-20s.
Other requirements of the Bets CPI
Summoned to give testimony, Reginaldo Gomes, president of Sociedade Esportiva Belford Roxo, did not appear at the CPI. At the end of the session, the committee members approved a request (REQ 172/2024 — CPIMJAE) presented by Eduardo Girão, transforming the invitation into a call.
Furthermore, the commission approved the request (REQ 171/2024 — CPIMJAE) to summon Thiago Chambó Andrade, accused in Operation Maximum Penalty, conducted by the Public Ministry of Goiás. Thus, the request was proposed by senator Romário (PL-RJ) .
