Flamengo’s Bruno Henrique Handed 12 Match Ban and Fine Over Betting Case

Brazilian forward Bruno Henrique has been suspended for 12 games and fined BRL 60,000 ($11,112) after being found guilty of acting to influence the outcome of a match for betting purposes. The decision came from the First Disciplinary Committee of Brazil’s Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD), following an investigation into suspicious betting activity tied to a 2023 clash between Flamengo and Santos.

Good to know

• Henrique received a 12 match ban and BRL 60,000 fine under Article 243-A.
• His brother Wander Nunes Pinto Junior was identified as the “mastermind” and also sanctioned.
• Flamengo publicly backed Henrique, with the club’s lawyer defending him during the hearing.

Authorities launched an investigation after Brazil’s Federal Police uncovered an “overwhelming number of bets” placed on Henrique receiving a yellow card in the match. All 19 bets originated from Belo Horizonte, Henrique’s hometown. Sports data firm Sportradar also flagged the suspicious activity in a report.

The inquiry extended beyond Henrique, leading to charges against four amateur players, including three of his friends and his brother Wander. The friends received six to seven match suspensions, while Wander was initially hit with the maximum 24 match penalty, later reduced to 12 because of his amateur status.

The Court’s Ruling

Henrique faced two charges under Brazil’s Judicial Code:

• Article 243 – deliberately acting in a way that harmed his own team.
• Article 243-A – influencing the outcome of a match.

Judge Alcino Guedes dismissed the first charge, explaining:

“I do not see in the conduct of the accused Bruno Henrique any evidence of deliberately acting in a way that harmed his team.”

However, Guedes upheld the second charge, applying the minimum penalty: a 12 match suspension and a BRL 60,000 fine. Henrique’s brother Wander was described as the “coordinator” of the scheme.

FIFA Involvement and Club Support

The STJD will send a letter to the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), which will then forward it to FIFA. If approved, the sanctions against Henrique and others would be extended internationally, preventing them from avoiding suspension by playing abroad.

Despite the ruling, Flamengo continues to support Henrique. The player’s defense was led by attorney Michel Assef Filho, who also represents the club.

“If Flamengo believed that Bruno Henrique took any action to harm the club, I wouldn’t be here,” Filho said. “We’re here because we understand there was no violation. There was no action by Bruno Henrique that could have affected the outcome of the match.”

Henrique, capped twice for Brazil, maintains his innocence and has denied all accusations. The case can still be appealed to a higher court.