Bruno Henrique faces justice over shock match-fixing probe | OneFootball

According to reporting from Lance, the Public Prosecutor’s Office of the Federal District (MPDFT) has upheld a two million real bail requirement for Flamengo forward Bruno Henrique amid ongoing investigations into alleged match-fixing involving the player. The measure stems from “Operation Spot-Fixing,” launched in 2024, which focuses on suspicions of manipulating yellow card incidents for betting gains.

Bruno Henrique’s defence sought to challenge the bail, contending that the legal prerequisites for this kind of preventive action were lacking. However, the Prosecutor’s Office determined the financial guarantee was warranted to ensure the striker’s presence at required judicial procedures and protect the investigation’s integrity, particularly given the demands of his professional schedule and frequent travel. Authorities cited significant uncertainty about Henrique’s availability as justification for maintaining the requirement.

The investigation was triggered after a specific incident on November 1, 2023, during a Flamengo versus Santos match. Henrique received a yellow card and was later sent off for dissent. Federal investigators believe the offence could have been intentional, based on evidence suggesting relatives and acquaintances placed targeted bets on the player receiving a booking, potentially benefiting from advance knowledge. The Federal Police allege that at least ten individuals—including Henrique’s brother, sister-in-law, and cousin—profited from these bets, with some reportedly earning up to 5,000 reais through betting platforms such as Kaizen Gaming, GaleraBet, and Betano.

Further evidence reportedly includes WhatsApp messages recovered from Henrique’s brother’s phone. These messages reference the player’s pending disciplinary status and, according to investigators, indicate discussions about orchestrating the timing of the yellow card. The findings led federal police to formally indict Bruno Henrique in April 2025 on suspicion of fraud and embezzlement in a sporting event.

Parallel to the criminal investigation, the Brazilian sports tribunal (STJD) also initiated disciplinary proceedings against the forward in November 2024. The tribunal received case details from federal police in June 2025. Henrique has already given evidence to the STJD by videoconference, the in-person appearance set aside due to club obligations. His legal team has requested that the criminal case be transferred to federal jurisdiction and petitioned for its dismissal.

So far, Flamengo have not issued an official statement, and Henrique remains part of the matchday squad as his counsel works through ongoing legal appeals and procedural matters. The MPDFT continues to evaluate whether to file formal criminal charges, while the STJD will determine if the case merits additional sporting sanctions, including possible suspension or financial penalties.

With investigations ongoing, Bruno Henrique’s future remains uncertain—potentially subject to both judicial and disciplinary consequences in the coming months, depending on the outcome of the ongoing inquiries.

Source: Lance

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