Brazil has made a significant move in its ongoing battle against match-fixing in sports by signing the Macolin Convention, a key international treaty focused on preventing and combating fraud in competitions. The signing took place on Friday at the Council of Europe headquarters in France, a step that aims to enhance global cooperation to uphold the integrity of sports.
Ricardo Neiva Tavares, the Brazilian ambassador to France, signed the treaty on behalf of the Brazilian government, with oversight from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs alongside the Ministries of Sport, Finance, and Justice.
The Macolin Convention lays out a framework for collaboration among various stakeholders, including governments, public authorities, sports organizations, competition organizers, and betting operators. Its primary goal is to bolster efforts in preventing, identifying, and addressing practices that undermine the fairness of sporting outcomes and erode public trust in sports.
"Brazil is taking an important step in protecting the integrity of sports," remarked Giovanni Rocco, Brazil’s National Secretary of Sports Betting. He noted the progress the country has made, including the establishment of the National Policy for the Prevention and Combat of Match-Fixing in Sports. Rocco emphasized that joining the Macolin Convention enhances Brazil's capacity for international cooperation in the fight against fraud, thereby safeguarding athletes, clubs, and fans.
The Ministry of Sport began monitoring the negotiations for Brazil to join the Convention back in 2025, when the National Secretariat for Sports Betting advocated for its participation. By September of that year, Brazil officially expressed its intention to sign the treaty following evaluations by the involved ministries. Since then, the Ministry of Sport has provided technical and legal support and actively engaged in discussions related to the membership process.
Additionally, the National Policy for the Prevention and Confrontation of Manipulation of Sports Results (PNPEMR) was established in March 2026, with the Ministry of Sport coordinating efforts alongside the Ministries of Finance and Justice and input from the Federal Police. This policy sets forth guidelines for regulating, preventing, monitoring, inspecting, and addressing sports fraud.
The Macolin Convention, which has been open for signature since 2014 and has been in force since September 2019, sets international standards aimed at combating the manipulation of sporting events. As of September 2026, 43 countries had signed the Convention, with 17 having ratified it. Among signatories outside Europe are Australia and Morocco. Brazil stands out as the first country in the Americas to sign this treaty, which enhances global collaboration against match-fixing.
Key provisions of the Convention include mechanisms for information exchange between nations, cooperation among authorities, monitoring of suspicious activities linked to sports betting, and the development of accountability and prevention frameworks. The treaty also mandates the establishment of a national platform within each state to centralize information, streamline communication among stakeholders, and help identify potential irregularities.
Recognizing that match-fixing can be associated with international networks, the Convention demands coordinated efforts to maintain the credibility of sporting events and public faith in sports.
While Brazil is making strides towards complying with the Convention, it must still finish internal processes to officially become a State Party. This involves presenting the treaty to the National Congress for review and passing the ratification procedures required for incorporating international agreements. Signing the Macolin Convention signifies a new milestone in Brazil's commitment to adopt international frameworks aimed at combatting match-fixing, reinforcing the federal government's dedication to creating a more ethical, transparent, and secure sporting environment.
