Brazil has strengthened its commitment to combatting match-fixing in sports by signing the Macolin Convention, an essential international treaty focused on preventing fraud in competitions.
The signing occurred at the Council of Europe headquarters in France on Friday, marking significant advancement in global efforts to uphold the integrity of sports.
The agreement was signed by Ricardo Neiva Tavares, the Brazilian ambassador to France, representing the Brazilian government. The event was coordinated under the supervision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with contributions from the Ministries of Sport, Finance, and Justice.
This Convention facilitates cooperation among governments, public authorities, sports organizations, event organizers, and betting operators, aimed at improving the prevention, identification, and resolution of actions that undermine fair play and public trust in sports.
Giovanni Rocco, Brazil's National Secretary of Sports Betting, stated, "Brazil is taking an important step in protecting the integrity of sports. We have already made progress with the creation of the National Policy for the Prevention and Combat of Match-Fixing in Sports. Now, with the signing of the Macolin Convention, we are expanding the possibilities for international cooperation. This work strengthens the fight against fraud and helps protect athletes, clubs, and fans."
The Ministry of Sport has been actively involved in Brazil's participation in the Convention since 2025 when the National Secretariat for Sports Betting put forth a technical proposal supporting this move. In September 2025, the Brazilian government officially expressed its intention to join the treaty after consultations among the relevant ministries.
In addition, the Ministry of Sport has provided technical and legal support throughout the discussions concerning this process. A critical initiative related to this effort is the National Policy for the Prevention and Confrontation of Manipulation of Sports Results (PNPEMR), established in March 2026. This policy was developed in partnership with the Ministries of Finance and Justice and the Federal Police, setting the framework for the regulation, monitoring, and enforcement against sports fraud.
Opened for signature in 2014 in Macolin, Switzerland, and effective since September 2019, the Convention outlines international strategies to address the manipulation of sports events. As of September 2026, 43 countries have signed the Convention, with 17 having ratified it. Notably, Brazil is the first nation in the Americas to sign this treaty, enhancing global cooperation efforts against match-fixing.
The Convention includes provisions for inter-country information sharing, collaboration among relevant authorities, oversight of suspicious betting activities, and enhanced accountability measures. Furthermore, it mandates the establishment of a national platform in each country to centralize data, foster communication across relevant sectors, and help identify potential irregularities.
Recognizing that match-fixing can stem from transnational networks, the Convention aims to enable integrated action to maintain the credibility of sports and the public’s trust.
Moving forward, Brazil is now in the process of completing the necessary internal steps to officially become a State Party to the Convention. This includes submitting the treaty text to the National Congress for consideration and approval before proceeding with the ratification process, in line with the legal steps needed for incorporating international treaties.
The signing represents a crucial milestone in Brazil's efforts to align with international protocols against match-fixing, reflecting the federal government’s commitment to fostering a more ethical, transparent, and secure environment in sports.
