Distrito Federal court rejects appeal, keeps Bruno Henrique defendant in fraud case | OneFootball

The Distrito Federal court has rejected an appeal by Bruno Henrique’s defence, keeping the Flamengo forward as a defendant on an alleged fraud charge.

According to Globo.com, it is alleged he deliberately sought a yellow card to benefit bettors during the 2023 Campeonato Brasileiro match against Santos in Brasília. The Tribunal de Justiça do Distrito Federal e Territórios issued the ruling on Wednesday.

His lawyers argued the charge was invalid because bookmakers, deemed the victims, had not filed formal representations. Judge Jair Soares found that alerts and information sent by those betting firms to authorities showed a clear interest in prosecution. He said such representation requires no special formality, and that a re-examination of evidence at special appeal stage is barred by STJ precedent.

Appeals by his brother, Wander Nunes Pinto Júnior, his sister-in-law, Ludymilla Araújo Lima, and six others were also rejected. All remain defendants for estelionato. If convicted, they face one to five years in prison.

Bruno Henrique’s defence was contacted for comment but has not responded.

In November 2025, the Superior Tribunal de Justiça Desportiva closed the sporting case, fining the forward R$ 100,000 without suspension, and he remains eligible to play.

In May this year, Flamengo extended his contract until the end of 2027. He joined the club in 2019. With 17 titles, he is, alongside Arrascaeta, the most decorated player in the club’s history.

Source: Globo.com