Brazil has strengthened its commitment to combatting match-fixing by signing the Macolin Convention, an essential international treaty focused on preventing fraud in sports competitions. The signing ceremony took place on Friday at the Council of Europe headquarters in France, marking a significant advancement in global efforts to uphold the integrity of sports.
Brazil's ambassador to France, Ricardo Neiva Tavares, represented the government during the event, which was coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs alongside contributions from the Ministries of Sport, Finance, and Justice.
The Macolin Convention outlines collaborative frameworks for governments, public authorities, sports organizations, competition organizers, and betting operators to prevent and address actions that compromise fairness and sportsmanship. Giovanni Rocco, Brazil's National Secretary of Sports Betting, emphasized the importance of this step, stating, "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."
Since 2025, the Ministry of Sport has been actively involved in discussions for Brazil's accession to the Convention, beginning when the National Secretariat for Sports Betting advocated for the country's participation. The Brazilian government publicly declared its intent to join in September 2025 after a thorough assessment involving various ministries.
An important aspect of Brazil's initiatives includes the establishment of the National Policy for the Prevention and Confrontation of Manipulation of Sports Results (PNPEMR), initiated in March 2026. This policy is coordinated by the Ministry of Sport and developed in partnership with the Ministries of Finance and Justice, as well as the Federal Police. It sets clear guidelines for regulating, monitoring, and combating sports fraud.
Opened for signatures in 2014 in Macolin, Switzerland, and effective since September 2019, the Convention currently has 43 signatories, with 17 ratifications thus far. Brazil stands out as the first American nation to join this treaty, enhancing international cooperation against match-fixing in sports.
The Convention includes measures such as information-sharing among nations, coordination between authorities, monitoring of suspicious betting activities, and the establishment of national platforms in each country to facilitate communication and identify irregularities. The initiative recognizes the complexity of competition manipulation, which often involves cross-border networks and demands cohesive efforts to maintain the credibility of sports.
While Brazil has made notable strides in joining the Convention, it must undertake internal processes to officially become a State Party. This involves submitting the treaty text to the National Congress for review and securing its approval and subsequent ratification in accordance with established international treaty protocols. This signing symbolizes Brazil’s commitment to adopting ethical and transparent practices in sports.
