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Authorities in Brazil have opened a criminal investigation into Juventude midfielder Ênio following suspicions that he may have been involved in match-fixing connected to sports betting activity.
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The investigation is being led by the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Rio Grande do Sul and involves Brazil’s Special Action Group for the Fight Against Organized Crime. Prosecutors are acting on a warning from the Brazilian Football Confederation, which flagged unusual betting patterns tied to two Serie A matches involving the player.
Authorities believe Ênio may have accepted benefits—possibly material or personal—in exchange for influencing match outcomes, specifically by receiving yellow cards. Bets linked to those incidents are suspected to have been placed by people in his circle.
Law enforcement executed search warrants at both Ênio’s residence and his locker at Juventude’s training facility in Caxias do Sul. Officials are still trying to determine if others were involved in the scheme.
In a statement to CNN Brazil, Ênio’s legal team said the player “has always performed his profession with dignity, loyalty and honesty” and pledged full cooperation with the ongoing investigation.
Juventude, the player’s club, also addressed the situation publicly. The club confirmed it has allowed authorities full access to its facilities and stated, “We reiterate our commitment to integrity and transparency and will remain at the disposal of authorities to support the full clarification of facts.”
The investigation covers possible offenses including fraud, participation in a criminal organization, and violations under Brazil’s new General Sports Law, which outlaws attempts to tamper with sports matches.