Fifa President Gianni Infantino, with the Olympics approaching and two international soccer tournaments in progress, used an event honoring Pele to remind the players of the importance of the game.
Infantino stated that his organization would not tolerate players placing bets on football, the most popular sport in the world, at a press conference held 15th June. The comments were made a day following the opening of UEFA’s Euro 2024 and less than a month before Copa America.
Games Magazine Brasil reported that he stated, “The players are aware: they shouldn’t bet.” In football, rugby or any other sport. There are always investigations when something occurs, and there are very strict decisions made about betting. “And football at every level, amateur or professional.”
Infantino made the comments in response to a question about Lucas Paqueta, a Brazilian international and West Ham player. The English Football Association (FA), is looking into Paqueta’s possible wagering violation. Multiple matches from the English Premier League season 2022-2023 are in question.
Paqueta, who has denied all charges against him, is likely to play for Brazil in the Copa America match with Costa Rica on Monday (24th June).
The frequency of violations of gambling rules is decreasing
The US has seen a spike in the number of sports betting rule violations. NBA and Major League Baseball both issued lifetime bans, which is the first professional sport in US to do so since PASPA.
In April, the former Toronto Raptor Jontay Porter received a ban for sharing information about himself with other bettors and betting on basketball matches. Ontario police has now launched a criminal probe.
Early in June, MLB suspended San Diego Padre Tucupita Marcano because he bet on his team while he was playing in Pittsburgh. On 14 June MLB revealed that an umpire had been disciplined for breaking league rules on betting.
The football world is not immune. Recently, players in Italy’s Serie A and the EPL were fined or suspended for gambling. Major League Soccer put Felipe Hernandez, Sporting KC’s Felipe Hernandez in “administrative leaves” on 14 June as they pursued potential gambling offenses.
Infantino used his position to warn players against sullying the game.
He said that sanctions would be imposed if someone violated sports rules. Each situation is unique; they should not be trivialized and judged according to that.
UEFA Euro 2024, Copa America and the Summer Olympics will begin in Paris on 24 July. Brazil won the gold in both the previous Olympics.
