In a shocking turn of events, Flamengo's forward Bruno Henrique has been indicted by the Federal Police (PF) for allegedly manipulating a yellow card during a match against Santos in the 2023 Brazilian Championship. The news broke on April 15, 2025, raising serious questions about the integrity of the sport and the involvement of multiple individuals in a betting scheme.
The indictment comes as part of a broader investigation into sports fraud, with Bruno Henrique being one of eleven people charged. Among those indicted are his brother, Wander Nunes Pinto Júnior, his sister-in-law Ludymilla Araújo Lima, and cousin Poliana Ester Nunes Cardoso, all of whom are accused of placing bets related to the scheme.
The allegations state that Bruno Henrique forced a yellow card in the match against Santos to benefit bettors, an act that could result in severe penalties. According to the PF, the charges against him include fraud and estelionato, which could lead to prison sentences ranging from one to six years.
Details of the case reveal that the PF analyzed 3,989 conversations from Bruno Henrique's cell phone, many of which were either empty or deleted. This has raised suspicions that the player may have attempted to erase evidence of his involvement. However, conversations found on his brother's phone reportedly provide a direct link to the betting scheme.
One significant exchange dated August 29, 2023, shows Wander inquiring about Bruno's yellow card status in the league. "O tio você está com 2 cartão no brasileiro?" (Hey uncle, do you have 2 yellow cards in the league?) Wander asked. Bruno replied, "Sim" (Yes). The conversation continued with Wander suggesting that when the time came for Bruno to take a third yellow card, he should call him. Bruno responded, "Contra o Santos" (Against Santos).
This exchange indicates that Bruno may have communicated advance information to his brother regarding his intent to receive a yellow card in the upcoming match. The PF believes this demonstrates a clear connection between the player and the betting activities.
On the eve of the match against Santos, Bruno reportedly called Wander to confirm his plan to receive the card, which adds another layer of complexity to the case. The investigation further revealed that Wander placed a bet of R$ 380.86 on the yellow card, which resulted in a return of R$ 1,180.67. Ludymilla and Poliana also placed bets, with Ludymilla betting on two platforms and gaining a total of R$ 2,605.67.
In an official statement, Flamengo expressed its commitment to fair play in sports but emphasized the constitutional principle of the presumption of innocence. The club stated, "O Flamengo não foi comunicado oficialmente por qualquer autoridade pública acerca dos fatos que vêm sendo noticiados pela imprensa sobre o atleta Bruno Henrique. O Clube tem compromisso com o cumprimento das regras de fair play desportivo, mas defende, por igual, a aplicação do princípio constitucional da presunção de inocência e o devido processo legal" (Flamengo has not been officially notified by any public authority regarding the facts being reported in the press about athlete Bruno Henrique. The club is committed to complying with the rules of sports fair play, but equally defends the constitutional principle of the presumption of innocence and due process).
As the investigation unfolds, the implications for Bruno Henrique and Flamengo could be significant. The club is set to face Juventude on April 16, 2025, but it remains uncertain whether Bruno will be included in the squad for that match.
The case against Bruno Henrique has garnered widespread attention, not only for the serious nature of the allegations but also for the potential impact on his career and the reputation of Flamengo. The football community is watching closely as details continue to emerge.
The investigation was initiated following a tip-off from the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) regarding suspicious betting patterns linked to the Santos match. Reports indicated that unusual bets were placed by both new and existing users on a betting platform, raising red flags for the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF).
Bruno Henrique's history with the PF dates back to a prior investigation into possible manipulation of results, which included a raid on his home and the seizure of electronic devices. Despite the serious nature of the allegations, no arrests have been made at this time.
As the legal proceedings continue, the focus will remain on the integrity of Brazilian football and the measures that can be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future. The Flamengo organization has reiterated its dedication to upholding the values of fair play and transparency as the situation develops.
For now, Bruno Henrique's future on the pitch remains uncertain, with fans and analysts alike eager to see how this scandal will unfold and what it means for the player and his club.
