The 34-year-old athlete was charged by the STJD Prosecutor’s Office under two articles of the CBJD (Brazilian Code of Sports Justice): Articles 243 and 243-A.
The first concerns “deliberately acting in a way detrimental to the team one defends.” The second refers to “acting, contrary to sports ethics, with the aim of influencing the result of a match, contest, or equivalent.”
In the STJD panel’s vote, Bruno Henrique was acquitted under Article 243, as it was not proven that he deliberately sought to harm his team by receiving the yellow card.
However, he was found guilty by a majority of the panel under Article 243-A. “There was indeed conduct that violates sports ethics,” said Alcino Guedes, the case’s rapporteur at the STJD.
“I would like to reaffirm my innocence and that I never committed the infractions I am being accused of,” the player said. He followed the more than seven-hour trial via videoconference.
The forward may still appeal the decision, handed down by the court’s first disciplinary commission, to the STJD Plenum.
“In the Plenum, the penalty can be upheld, reduced, increased, or even annulled. This second level of jurisdiction exists precisely to ensure greater balance and fairness in decisions,” explained Felipe Crisafulli, partner at Ambiel Bonilha Advogados and sports law specialist.
If another unfavorable ruling is issued, Bruno Henrique may still appeal to CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport), based in Switzerland.
In November 2024, the player was targeted in an operation by the Federal Police (PF) and Gaeco (Special Action Group to Combat Organized Crime).
At the time, federal police officers and Gaeco agents went to Ninho do Urubu, Flamengo’s training center in Vargem Grande, west Rio, to execute search and seizure warrants. They also went to the player’s home, where he handed over electronic devices.
The PF found messages on the cell phone of Wander Nunes Pinto Junior, Bruno Henrique’s brother, indicating that the athlete had disclosed in advance that he would receive a yellow card during the match against Santos.
In the game in question, Santos player Soteldo attempted a dribble near the corner flag against Bruno Henrique. The Flamengo player tried to stop him, and referee Rafael Rodrigo Klein called a foul.
After being shown the yellow card, Bruno Henrique was then given a straight red for dissent. Santos won the match 2–1.
Police noted one exchange in particular, when Wander asked Bruno Henrique if he could manage to avoid a yellow card until the date of the match. Bruno replied that he would not complain and would only receive a card if he “went in hard on someone.”
Wander responded that he planned to “save money,” allegedly to place the fraudulent bet, and said it would be a “successful investment.”
In WhatsApp conversations from August 2023 included by the PF in the case, Wander asked if the player had two yellow cards in the league, to which Bruno replied “yes.” Wander continued: “When the guys say to get the 3rd, we’re in, huh lol.” Bruno answered: “Against Santos.”
According to the PF, the WhatsApp exchanges between the athlete and his brother “indicate that he had, expressly, provided privileged information to his brother regarding receiving a card in the match under investigation.”
The possible manipulation in the match against Santos was flagged in a report by the IBIA (International Betting Integrity Association) and Sportradar, which monitor betting market risks. The suspicion was forwarded to the CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation) and the Ministry of Finance.
Similar alerts from three rival betting operators reinforced suspicions of card-market manipulation, or “spot-fixing,” according to the PF inquiry.
In regular court, the forward and his brother became defendants in July, after the Federal District Court accepted a complaint filed by the Public Prosecutor’s Office for sports fraud. If convicted, the forward could face up to six years in prison. No trial date has yet been set.
Throughout the investigations, Bruno Henrique continued to play regularly for Flamengo, where he has been since January 2019.
With the club, he has won two Copa Libertadores titles (2019 and 2022), two Brazilian Championships (2019 and 2020), and five Rio State Championships.
Source: GMB
