The Brazilian club Palmeiras took legal action on Tuesday after being targeted by new accusations from American tycoon John Textor, owner in particular of Botafogo and Olympique Lyonnais, who considered that the last Brazilian championship had been tainted by corruption .
The two-time reigning Brazilian champion indicated in a press release that he had asked the Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD) to ensure that Mr. Textor “refrains from making any type of mention or reference to Palmeiras in the media, under penalty of fine or suspension.
Last season, Botafogo experienced a historic debacle: leader of the national championship for 31 days out of 38, the Rio de Janeiro club was up to 13 points ahead, but finished only fifth and let Palmeiras win the title for the second year in a row.
But John Textor, who bought the club in March 2022, has repeatedly claimed the competition is rigged.
He returned to the charge on Monday: in an interview with a YouTube channel, then in a press release published on his site, he assured that he had “solid proof” that Palmeiras “benefited from match-fixing for at least two seasons”.
The manager, who also owns the English club Crystal Palace and the Belgian team RWD Molenbeek, said he had evidence “100% confirmed by experts and artificial intelligence” and drawn from the analysis of two doubles victories. Brazilian champion, against Fortaleza (4-0 in November 2022) and Sao Paulo FC (5-0 in October 2023).
He cites “abnormal differences” in the behavior of certain players from these two teams, who according to him would have voluntarily slowed down to allow Palmeiras to win these two matches.
Both the Fortaleza club and Sao Paulo FC rejected the accusations, demanding that Mr. Textor present the evidence and announcing that they would take legal action.
In November, the American businessman was suspended for a month by the STJD after accusing the Brazilian Football Confederation of corruption following Botafogo’s 4-3 defeat to Palmeiras.
The president of the CBF, Ednaldo Rodrigues, had also filed a complaint for defamation.
Brazilian football was hit last year by a vast scandal of match-fixing, including in the first division, to guarantee juicy profits on betting sites.
Several players suspected of having been corrupt have been suspended and a parliamentary commission of inquiry established at the initiative of the legendary ex-striker Romario, now a senator, must look into this affair by the end of the month.
