Botafogo's owner, Textor, provides evidence of rigged games

John Textor remembers Palmeiras' defeat over Sao Paulo in the Brazilian league

Since defeating Botafogo in the Brazilian championship last year, and with Palmeiras winning their title, John Textor has accused that the São Paulo team's victory was manipulated. The Rio FC investor informed on Monday (01) that he has already sent evidence to the public prosecutor. According to the executive, the 2023 Brazilian Classic had an “external influence”.

“Palmeiras' 5-0 win, which marked the start of an impossible (and now historic) comeback over a Botafogo team that had achieved a record points tally in the first round of the Brazilian league, after 14 wins in 17 matches, was rigged. The match between Palmeiras and Sao Paulo in October 2023, according to experts and artificial intelligence, was rigged by at least five Sao Paulo players.“Textor began.

“Seven players showed abnormal deviations in decisive situations on goal, although only five were judged to have exceeded the limits that make the manipulation clear and convincing. It must be made clear that the evidence does not establish motives, nor does it suggest that any club was responsible for the tampering other than the players identified.“, added the owner of Botafogo.

Leave to arbitration

In addition to accusing the Palmeiras and São Paulo players of fixing, John Textor also says that the referees (field and VAR) are combining the results. All quotes from the owner of SAF do Botafogo are published on the official website of the North American Executive.

Brazil 2023

After leading most of Brazil's 2023 matches, Botafogo's form declined and they ended up outside the Group of Four, finishing fifth. Flamengo, led by Tite in the final stage, finished in fourth place, which placed them in the group stage of the Libertadores.

As for the competition, Flamengo will make its debut on Tuesday (02), at 7 pm (Brasilia time), against Millonarios (Colorado). And so, the ball rolls at El Canbem Stadium, in Bogotá, in the first round of Group E. Coluna do Fla is broadcasting the confrontation live on YouTubewith narration by Rafa Pinedo, comments by Tulio Rodríguez and reporting by Leo José and Simón Ledo, direct from Colombia.