April 4 – Botafogo owner John Textor could face up to a year’s suspension as he goes on trial at Brazil’s top sports court for failing to provide evidence for his claims of match-fixing in the Brazilian league.
The American will face a disciplinary panel trial on April 15 at the Superior Court of Sport for Football. Textor has sparked controversy with his allegations that ‘corruption’ caused Botafogo’s downfall last season and lost them the title.
In his claims, he has said that two matches involving Palmeiras, the 2023 champions, involved fixing. Although claiming he has proof, Textor has never presented any to back his allegations that upset Palmeiras, Sao Paulo, Fortaleza and the Confederation of Brazil Football (CBF),
Palmeiras have asked the same court to order Textor to “abstain from any mention of or reference to Palmeiras.”
On the sidelines of Botafogo’s defeat to Junior of Colombia in the Copa Libertadores on Wednesday, Textor commented: “I went to the police station, started the process, handed over evidence, gave my statement. I have a lot more proof than a Good Game! report.”
“It’s a wonderful day. I spoke to independent and reasonable investigators who did not appear to be supporting any club. It’s a lot of information, it takes months of data collection. It is very much the beginning of a very healthy process.”
Textor became the owner of the Rio-based club in 2022.
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