Brazil Introduces Apita Cidadão Platform to Tackle Match-Fixing

Brazil has taken another step in addressing match-fixing concerns, rolling out a new tool that gives fans and citizens a direct role in protecting sports integrity. The government has officially launched Apita Cidadão (Citizen Whistle), a digital platform designed to make reporting suspicious betting or game manipulation simple and anonymous.

Good to know

• Reports submitted through Apita Cidadão are sent directly to federal police investigators.
• Brazil has signaled its intention to join the Macolin Convention, a cross-border treaty against match-fixing.
• The initiative reflects rising concern after several high-profile match-fixing scandals in Brazilian football.

Through Apita Cidadão, anyone can submit a report using a short four-step form. Users provide details such as the date and location of the event, the people or teams allegedly involved, and a brief description of what occurred. Once submitted, the reports are forwarded to the federal police for investigation.

Officials say the goal is to create a secure channel for anonymous reporting that encourages more people to come forward without fear of retaliation.

Brazil and the Macolin Convention

Alongside the new tool, Brazil has informed the Council of Europe of its plan to join the Macolin Convention, an international agreement already supported by nearly 50 countries. The treaty aims to strengthen cooperation across borders, giving regulators and enforcement agencies a structured way to share intelligence on betting-related fraud.

A working group has also been formed, with representatives from the Ministry of Sport, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Justice, and the federal police. While the group has not yet published its official recommendations, it is expected to deliver proposals and concrete action plans soon.

Integrity

Brazilian football has been under the spotlight after a string of betting scandals. Among the cases, Flamengo forward Bruno Henrique was indicted in connection with allegations of participating in a betting scheme during a Brazilian Championship match. He received a 12 match ban including a hefty fine.

For regulators, the launch of Apita Cidadão is about preventing similar incidents and restoring trust. By giving both fans and players a way to report manipulation quickly, authorities hope to close gaps before they spiral into larger scandals.