Football’s end: Flamengo and clubs issue manifesto against Federal plan | OneFootball

“Football is closely following the discussions about the betting market in Brazil and recognizes the challenges its expansion brings. The social impacts, especially on the most vulnerable people, require constant attention from the Government, companies and all sectors involved. Therefore, it is essential to improve protection, oversight, education and prevention measures in order to reduce risks and ensure a responsible market. Brazil chose to face this challenge through regulation. Regulation established strict rules for companies authorized to operate in the country, with clear rules that allow the State to supervise the market, hold those who break the law accountable and combat the activity of clandestine platforms. It is important to emphasize that, in recent years, investment by authorized betting companies has become one of the main sources of revenue for the sport. This investment has boosted Brazilian football to the point of dominating the South American scene in competitions such as the CONMEBOL Libertadores and the CONMEBOL Sudamericana and placing Brazilian clubs in a leading role. This presence is not limited to the biggest clubs. The resources also reach smaller teams, lower divisions and competitions with less commercial exposure. For many of these clubs, especially those located in the country’s interior, there is currently no other economic sector capable of immediately replacing this investment. These revenues are essential to maintain administrative structures, training centers, professionals, social projects and departments that do not generate enough resources to sustain themselves independently, such as part of women’s football and the development of future talents, the first investments threatened when revenue drops abruptly. Thus, the rumors about abrupt changes in the regulation of the betting market have generated enormous concern among all clubs, federations and sports governing entities. An abrupt change in the rules would reduce clubs’ investment capacity and create imbalances inside and outside the country. Properly signed contracts, multi-year planning and financial commitments were established under a regulatory framework created by the State itself. To respond to a market that already existed and was illegally moving billions of reais, the country established a regulated environment. Companies were authorized, began paying taxes and took on obligations related to consumer protection, blocking minors, preventing abusive practices and fighting money laundering and the manipulation of competitions. It was precisely the regulation of the market that removed Brazil from the top of the world ranking of manipulation cases. Making this model unworkable will not make betting cease to exist. It will only pave the way for consumers to migrate entirely to clandestine platforms, which do not pay taxes, do not respect limits, do not offer protection tools and do not cooperate with the authorities. The consequence will not only be a wide-open door to illegal betting, but a fatal blow to Brazilian football, driving many clubs into insolvency. Not to mention the legal and professional uncertainty that the measure would bring, especially for properly signed contracts and plans built under the regulatory framework approved by the National Congress and established by the State itself. What football believes must be done, with the utmost rigor, is to fight illegality, strengthen oversight and improve protection mechanisms, without putting at risk a market that was regulated by the State itself. Football makes itself available to the Federal Government, the National Congress, and State and Municipal Authorities to collaborate on more effective education and awareness mechanisms. Football is mobilized, recognizes its responsibilities and wants to be part of the solution, in a rational and conscious way. THE FAN CANNOT PAY THIS PRICE. IF THE REGULATED MARKET ENDS, BETTING WILL NOT END. FOOTBALL WILL.”

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