Bruno Henrique, the Flamengo footballer, is facing a new chapter in his criminal case after a Brazilian court added a commercial fraud charge as he stands accused of deliberately receiving a yellow card to benefit family members placing sports bets.
The Third Criminal Chamber of the Federal District Court in Brasília accepted a prosecution appeal on Thursday to try the 34-year-old for estelionato, a form of commercial fraud, in addition to existing sports fraud charges.
The case centers on a 1 November 2023 Brazilian Championship match between Flamengo and Santos in Brasília. Prosecutors allege Bruno Henrique coordinated with his brother, Wander Nunes Pinto Junior, to deliberately draw a yellow card during the match, enabling relatives to profit from bets placed on online platforms.
Federal Police investigators analyzed around 4,000 WhatsApp messages seized from Nunes' phone that allegedly show the player confirming his intention to be cautioned. Bruno Henrique received two yellow cards in the second half and was sent off.
The commercial fraud charge carries a potential six-year prison sentence if he is convicted. Eight other individuals, including his brother and sister-in-law, also face charges. Betting operators initially flagged unusual wagering patterns on the match, triggering the investigation.
Bruno Henrique's case mirrors a broader pattern of betting-related investigations in elite Brazilian footballers. This week, West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paquetá returned to the spotlight after being sent off against Liverpool for dissent, receiving two yellow cards in quick succession.
Paquetá posted a message on X criticizing the Football Association and saying that the two-year investigation he endured caused ongoing emotional strain. The Brazilian, who was cleared of spot-fixing charges in July, said his career and personal life had been affected by the process and pointed to a lack of psychological support from the authorities during the investigation.
West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo later confirmed the player remains impacted by the episode while reaffirming the club's support. The case also had transfer implications: Paquetá's expected move to Manchester City collapsed once the FA opened its probe in 2023.
Bruno Henrique's legal troubles contrast with his on-field success. Flamengo won the Copa Libertadores on Saturday and secured the Brazilian Championship title on Wednesday with one match remaining.
In a separate sports tribunal ruling, the Superior Sports Justice Court converted a 12-match suspension into a fine of BR100,000 ($18.770) last month, citing insufficient evidence that the incident was intended to affect the match result or damage the club.
Good to know: Federal Police cite WhatsApp messages suggesting Bruno Henrique alerted his brother before the yellow card. In one exchange, Wander wrote: "On the day you gave me the yellow card idea, I bet 3,000 to win 12,000."
