The manipulation of results is an indisputable fact and compromises both the sports environment and the bookmakers. How does the government see this and what are the most immediate measures to combat the practice?
José Francisco Manssur – The government views the issue with great concern. It affects sport, which is fundamental and the government has recreated the Ministry of Sport based on this and acting. Since we took office, we are correcting this previous omission of not regulating sports betting. In five months we are filling this gap, issuing Provisional Measures and Ordinances that, listening to society, we are going to create mechanisms to curb and face the manipulation of results.
It was mentioned at the Sports Integrity Summit that an integrity agency will be created. Is this already a reality?
In the Provisional Measure, not because it cannot create the agency, but it is something that is on our radar and we understand it to be very important.
How does the issue of bookmakers not being allowed to buy rights work?
This is in the PM to avoid misuse of purpose. The purchase of rights will be exclusive to broadcasters and media. And also so that we don't have the possibility of raising the level of suspicion related to a company having bought the rights and at the same time being a bookmaker.
The bookmaker has a fundamental role and they were heard and many things that are in the PM were collected with them. Bookmakers, in general, are victims of match-fixing and will help us to face this, carrying out their work, which is to sell bets.
There has been talk of banning certain types of bets, such as corners, cards, etc. How do you see it?
It was a proposal from the debate moderator. I said that this would be studied as an exceptional measure. It is not and will not be in the Provisional Measure. I believe in technology and inspection of illicit acts, not prohibition. Pure and simple prohibition does not solve. We have to fight this.
If things reach the point of needing to suspend for some time to contain the crisis, it will be considered by the competent bodies – Ministries of Justice, Finance and Sports. At this time, it is not part of me to prohibit any topic related to betting on sports predictions in competitions organized by leagues, federations or confederations.
It is not on our radar, but we have to watch the events unfold and be attentive to reality. If reality imposes this, it may be considered in the working group, which will be composed of operators, CBF and COB. Everyone, democratically, will deliberate on what measures will be taken.
Will the working group be via decree?
Yes. It is a decree that is circulating in the Civil House. It has already been taken to the Ministry of Sport and we have to submit it to the Ministry of Justice and the Civil House, which needs to give approval. What was published is the constitution of the Working Group.
Who will make up the Working Group?
The initial idea is that it should be composed of the Ministries of Justice, Sports and Finance, COB, CBF, OAB, the Brazilian Institute of Sports Law and entities representing operators and bettors. The idea is to bring the entire ecosystem together at a discussion table to bring out the best in the world.
Source: GMB
