Brazil’s Congress opens probe into soccer match-fixing scandal
Deputy Felipe Carreras, right, commission rapporteur, speaks during the first meeting of the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry that investigates the scandals of manipulation of football matches, at the headquarters of the Chamber of Deputies, in Brasilia, Brazil, Wednesday, May 17, 2023. Brazil's lower house of Congress opened a probe into a soccer match-fixing scandal that has rocked the sport in the South American nation. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Eraldo Peres]
BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) — Brazil’s lower house of Congress has opened a probe into a soccer match-fixing scandal that has rocked the sport in the South American nation. It is the third investigation into evidence of wrongdoing by soccer players who allegedly made sure to get bookings and gave away penalties in exchange for bribes. The congressional inquiry will last at least 120 days and will hear testimony from players, executives of sports betting companies and club officials. The investigation began in November, focusing on three matches, and has widened to 11 games, though some were in lower leagues. The matches spanned the second half of 2022 and the first three months of this year.
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Deputy Bandeira de Mello, right, former president of the Flamengo soccer club, speaks with parliamentarians during the first meeting of the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry that investigates the scandals of manipulation of football matches, at the headquarters of the Chamber of Deputies, in Brasilia, Brazil, Wednesday, May 17, 2023. Brazil's lower house of Congress opened a probe into a soccer match-fixing scandal that has rocked the sport in the South American nation. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Eraldo Peres