The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) published last Friday (13) the General Competition Regulations (RGC) for 2024, which contains rules that must be followed by all football matches this year.

The document includes provisions concerning the sports betting market, such as rules for sponsoring bookmakers and preventing match-fixing.

The regulation establishes that only bookmakers licensed by the Ministry of Finance according to Law No. 14,790 may display advertising in competitions, including on team shirts. Advertisements may be removed if the company is involved in match-fixing schemes .

The CBF limits betting operators to only being able to include competitions organized by the confederation on their platforms, with authorization. In the case of state competitions, betting houses must obtain authorization from the respective organizing State Federation.

The document provides for a pecuniary fine, in an amount to be set by an act of the Presidency and in accordance with the terms of the RGC, in the event of non-compliance with the rules.

Advertising rules

The RGC establishes that the display of advertising or propaganda by companies, national or foreign, that operate sports betting, in any form, is subject to compliance with the requirements set forth in Law 14,790/2023 and in the regulations of the Ministry of Finance.

To display advertising, bookmakers must submit a declaration that the company or any of its employees are not involved in any economic or ethical violation related to the manipulation of sports results. This document must be renewed annually.

“The CBF may prohibit, at its sole discretion, the broadcasting of advertising or publicity by a company that is not aligned with the entity’s policies or that is involved in any operation suspected of economic infractions or ethical violations,” it adds.

Manipulation of results

The document considers as illicit conduct practiced by athletes, coaches, members of the technical committee, managers and members of the refereeing team and anyone who, directly or indirectly, may exert influence on the outcome of the matches:

• Betting on yourself, or allowing someone close to you to do so, on your opponent or on a football match;
• Instruct, encourage or facilitate any other person to bet on a football match in which they are participating or can exert influence;
• Ensure the occurrence of a particular event during a football match in which you are participating or can exert influence, and which may be the subject of a bet or for which you have received or will receive any advantage;
• Give or receive any payment or other benefit in circumstances that could reasonably be expected to bring yourself or football into disrepute;
• Sharing sensitive, privileged or internal information that may provide an unfair advantage and result in obtaining any gain or its use for betting purposes;
• Failure to immediately inform your club, State Federation or the competent sports, police or judicial authority of any threat or suspicion of corrupt behavior, such as, for example, in the case of someone approaching you to ask or suggest manipulation of any aspect of a match or through the promise of an advantage or favors in exchange for sensitive information.

According to the CBF, penalties attributed by the Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD) or administrative sanctions applied by the CBF regarding match manipulation cannot be suspended or converted.

The regulation establishes that clubs and federations must assist anyone who reports manipulation schemes, ensuring inclusion in special protection programs for victims of threats or witnesses of crimes who are coerced or exposed to serious threat due to collaborating with the investigation or criminal proceedings.