Aligning with global sports organisations and under the guidance of FIFA and CONMEBOL, the CBF has initiated a range of measures to combat match-fixing, culminating in the establishment of the groundbreaking Integrity Unit.
President Rodrigues emphasised the global threat posed by the surge in online sports betting, stating: "The development of sports betting games, especially online, increases the risks of manipulation of sports competitions. An effective fight against the manipulation of sports competitions requires agile, rapid, sustainable, and effective national and international cooperation."
The Integrity Unit, unveiled at a ceremony held in the CBF Presidency office, also welcomed lawyer Antonio Carlos Lemos Basto. Eduardo Gussem, assuming the pivotal role, acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating: "The Integrity Unit at CBF is a new and pioneering structure.
"We aim to bring rigidity and security to football. Today there are several questions: the issue of betting and match-fixing. We will carefully analyse all of this, building quick solutions for the public, the fans and the football world."
Gussem outlined the unit's intention to facilitate international collaboration and adherence to the Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions, emphasising the importance of formulating a comprehensive national strategy based on international best practices.
In addition to leveraging internal resources, Gussem will spearhead a multidisciplinary team within the CBF Integrity Unit, collaborating with global entities such as the International Centre for Sport Safety and the Global Alliance for the Integrity of Sport.
The unit aims to support public authorities in identifying and penalising those manipulating sports results, marking a significant step towards enhancing sports integrity on a national and international scale.
