Senator warns of the dangers of betting in football and criticizes CBF’s direction.
The Brazil national team’s recent elimination from the 2026 World Cup served as the catalyst for a strong denunciation by Senator Eduardo Girão (Novo-CE). In a speech in the Senate, the parliamentarian did not hesitate to point to sports betting companies, popularly known as “bets,” as one of the main culprits behind the crisis plaguing national football. For Girão, Brazil has become a paradise for these companies, which, in his view, drive away genuine fans, foster indebtedness, and corrode family and professional structures.
The 2-1 defeat to Norway in the Round of 16 in New Jersey was classified by the senator as a reflection of a deeper problem. He argues that the excessive influence of sports betting companies on the country’s most popular sport urgently needs to be reviewed, with a direct call to the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) to rethink its sponsorship policy and implement restrictive measures on the operations of these companies.
A Brazilian Coach for the National Team?
Girão also took the opportunity to advocate for a return to origins: the return of a Brazilian coach to lead the national team. In a scenario where Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti is currently in charge, the senator emphasized that Brazil has qualified professionals ready to take on the responsibility. As an example of competence combined with principles, he cited Filipe Luís, highlighting his stance against associating with sports betting company advertisements.
The senator’s speech transcended the sports world, also addressing the controversial decision by the Federal Supreme Court (STF) regarding the suspension of the Federal Council of Medicine (CFM) resolution that restricted fetal asystole. Girão strongly condemned the practice, describing it as “cowardly” and questioning its allowance in Brazil, even though it is prohibited in other contexts.
Senator Eduardo Girão’s statement raises crucial questions about the integrity and future of Brazilian football. The discussion about the impact of sports betting and the need for a management approach rooted in national values within the CBF promises to generate important debates, especially with upcoming sporting events and potential regulatory changes.
