Author: Soorya G
FIFA announced on Monday that it has extended the suspension of players from around the world who were penalized in Brazil for their involvement in an illegal match-fixing scheme. Players Ygor Catatau, Matheus Gomes and Gabriel Tota had their suspensions ratified by the organization, a decision that had already been made by the Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD) in Brazil.
In an official statement, FIFA provided a list of 11 players who have received suspensions imposed by Brazilian sports courts. The penalties range from a 360-day suspension to a lifetime ban from the sport. These sanctions are the result of Operation Maximum Penalty, an investigation by the Goiás Public Prosecutor’s Office that uncovered a match-fixing scheme aimed at benefiting gamblers. Criminal proceedings against these players are also underway.
Initially, these penalties were limited to the national territory under the jurisdiction of the STJD. Some of the players, such as defender Eduardo Bauermann, even signed contracts with foreign clubs, with the defender moving to Turkey. At the request of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), FIFA analyzed the cases and decided to extend the sanctions to all federations affiliated to the organization.
This development highlights FIFA’s commitment to upholding the integrity of soccer worldwide and sending a clear message that match-fixing will not be tolerated at any level of the sport. It is believed that the extended sanctions will serve as a deterrent to such unethical practices and reinforce the importance of fair play in soccer.
This measure is in line with FIFA’s wider mission to preserve the authenticity and credibility of beautiful soccer by protecting it from the corrosive influence of match-fixing and illegal betting activities, as evidenced by its immediate knowledge of the case involving Lucas Pacqueta.