CBF and CONMEBOL Hold Sports Integrity Training to Combat Match-Fixing in Brazilian Football

The training, part of a broader South American initiative led by CONMEBOL, focused on raising awareness and strengthening mechanisms to detect and prevent manipulation in sports competitions. It also highlighted the importance of cooperation among institutions, betting operators, and integrity partners to ensure fair play and preserve public trust in football.

“A Public Commitment to Integrity”

CBF President Samir Xaud opened the event by emphasizing the federation’s long-term dedication to ethical conduct and transparency across Brazilian football.

“We want a fair and respectful environment for those who play, those who support, and those who believe,” said Xaud. “Today, CBF publicly and unequivocally reaffirms its commitment to a culture of integrity, which does not yield to unscrupulous interests, nor tolerates any form of violence or discrimination.”

Regional Cooperation at the Core

Representing CONMEBOL, Graciela Garay, Director of Ethics, Compliance, and Integrity, highlighted the need for constant alignment between South American football associations.

“We must always be aligned. CONMEBOL’s mission is to support our member associations so that we are all on the same page,” said Garay. “Brazil has important initiatives in this field, working jointly with ministries and intelligence areas. CBF is an important strategic ally.”

The regional body has been implementing integrity education programs across South America, aiming to harmonize prevention efforts and improve reporting mechanisms against corruption in sport.

Regulated Betting Industry Joins the Discussion

From the private sector, Betano Brazil’s Country Manager, Guilherme Augusto Figueiredo, underscored the importance of collaboration between betting operators and sports authorities.

“Talking about sports integrity is essential to ensure that football and sports continue to convey values of fairness, passion, and trust,” he said. “At Betano, we treat this issue with the utmost seriousness and work daily alongside regulators, sports entities, and authorities to strengthen the regulated market, protect fans, and combat the illegal market.”

Government Reinforces Commitment to Clean Sport

Representing the federal government, Giovanni Rocco, Secretary of the Ministry of Sports, reaffirmed the public sector’s determination to protect the credibility of Brazilian sport.

“Our main concern is to defend the integrity of Brazilian sport, the integrity of athletes, the unpredictability of results, and the passion of Brazilians, which is football,” Rocco stated. “At the National Sports Betting Secretariat, we follow a principle: no one acts alone. It is a complex issue, and the partnership with CBF, with support from CONMEBOL, is fundamental to show everyone involved in football the right path forward.”

Sportradar Brings Global Expertise

As the event’s integrity partner, Sportradar contributed with its international experience in data analysis and fraud detection.

“It is a pleasure for Sportradar to contribute to another edition of this important training program, now in Brazil, alongside our partner CBF,” said Felippe Marchetti, Integrity Director for Latin America. “These initiatives reinforce cooperation between confederations and strengthen awareness of integrity at all levels of South American football.”

A Continental Movement for Integrity

The training session at CBF represents another step in a continental effort to safeguard sports integrity in the face of new challenges brought by the digital betting era. With growing collaboration between confederations, national authorities, and private operators, the initiative seeks to ensure that South American football continues to embody fair competition, transparency, and ethical values — both on and off the field.