Argentine Fluminense's yellow card raises suspicions of manipulation in the Brasileirão

Developed by Boca Juniors and with stints in MLS (the professional football league in the United States), the 32-year-old player from Buenos Aires received a card from referee Davi de Oliveira Lacerda in the 47th minute of the second half, during widespread confusion between players from both teams near the midfield.

In a note, the CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation) reported that it had received, through FIFA (International Football Federation), an alert from Sportradar - a global sports technology and data company responsible for detecting fraud - indicating suspicion of manipulation, with an atypical volume of bets on Acosta's card.

"According to internal protocol, in less than 72 hours after receipt, the alert was shared with public authorities (Federal Police and Public Ministry of the State of Rio de Janeiro) and with sports disciplinary bodies (Superior Court of Sports Justice for Football, Attorney General's Office at the STJD and Brazilian Football Ethics Commission)", said the confederation.

"The CBF, as usual, will act with the necessary caution and informs that it has requested a detailed report from FIFA with more information about the case", added the entity.

Fluminense, in turn, confirmed that it had received "confidential notification" from the CBF about the fact and said it was available to collaborate with the competent bodies.

"The athlete denied participation in any type of irregularity," stated the club.

Until the moment of confusion, Bragantino was winning the game 1-0, with a goal scored by striker Eduardo Sasha. Fluminense would only reach a draw in the 57th minute of the second half, with defender Ignácio.

The match, valid for the 19th round of the Brazilian Championship, took place on the 17th, at Maracanã.

Occupying 4th place in the championship table, Rio's Tricolor returns to the field this Wednesday (29th), against Bahia (6th), again at Maracanã. Bragantino (5th) plays this Tuesday (28th) against Atlético-MG (8th), at Arena MRV, in Belo Horizonte.

OTHER CASES

Over the past few years, a series of cases of suspected manipulation have hit Brazilian and international football.

Among the most prominent is that of midfielder Lucas Paquetá, from the Brazilian national team, accused in May 2024 by the FA (Football Association, the English football federation), when he was still playing for West Ham, of forcing him to receive yellow cards in Premier League matches.

The player ended up acquitted in July 2025.

Former Botafogo Luiz Henrique, now at Zenit, from Russia, and Bruno Henrique, from Flamengo, were other athletes whose names were recently involved in the growing suspicions surrounding the football betting market.

The Flamengo striker was denounced in June 2025 by the MP-DF (Public Ministry of the Federal District), on suspicion of crimes of embezzlement and sports fraud.

According to the Federal Police investigation, he had warned that he would force a yellow card in a 2023 Brazilian Championship match, which benefited a sports betting scheme.

Bruno Henrique's defense stated that the athlete "was never involved in a betting scheme".

Athletes of lesser prominence have also received punishments for participating in betting schemes, ranging from temporary suspension to banning from football, as a result of the Maximum Penalty operation, by the MP-GO (Public Ministry of Goiás).

Defender Eduardo Bauermann and striker Alef Manga received 360-day suspensions and currently play for Pachuca, from Mexico, and Remo, respectively.

Those who would have participated and also enticed other athletes received harsher sentences, with banishment from the sport, such as Marcos Vinicius Alves Barreira, ex-Vila Nova, Ygor Catatau (Sampaio Corrêa), Gabriel Tota (Juventude) and Matheus Phillipe (Olaria).