
<p>The Brasileirão season concluded on Wednesday, but Botafogo owner John Textor is still fighting over match-fixing allegations. Palmeiras collected its 12th <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/brasileirao-tv-schedule-and-streaming-links/">Brazilian Serie A</a> title this week. The Big Green clinched the championship on the night by grabbing a point against Cruzeiro. The draw, mixed with losses by <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/atletico-mineiro-tv-schedule-for-viewers-in-the-us/">Atletico Mineiro</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/flamengo-tv-schedule-for-viewers-in-the-united-states/">Flamengo</a>, officially meant that Palmeiras would win the title by just two points.</p>



<p>Nevertheless, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/botafogo-tv-schedule-for-us-viewers/">Botafogo</a> owner John Textor attempted to block the matches from being played on the night. Before game time, the American investor made a plea to Brazil’s Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD). Textor asked the courts to either cancel out the results of the last six rounds of games or have them replayed. The American cited possible match-fixing as his reason. </p>



<p>The court, however, declined Textor’s idea, claiming that they were “<a href="https://theathletic.com/5120819/2023/12/08/botafogo-palmeiras-brazil-title-textor/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">subjective and inconsistent.</a>” Botafogo ultimately finished fifth in the final standings. This was despite Textor’s club beginning the season winning 13 of their opening 15 matches. They were widely considered frontrunners to collect their first top-flight title since 1995. The club eventually stumbled down the stretch and blew a 13-point lead atop the table.</p>



<h2>Textor previously banned for 30 days for a rant on live TV</h2>



<p>Botafogo’s season decline seemingly started when their coach, Luis Castro, departed to take over at Cristiano Ronaldo’s <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/saudi-pro-league-tv-schedule/">Saudi Pro League</a> team. Former <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/benfica-tv-schedule/">Benfica</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/wolves-tv-schedule-for-us-viewers/">Wolves</a> manager Bruno Lage replaced the outgoing Castro. The club quickly fired him in October. The club then subsequently hired two different interim coaches to no avail.</p>



<p>However, things certainly intensified for Textor’s team during a matchup with <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/palmeiras-tv-schedule-for-viewers-in-united-states/">Palmeiras</a> in early November. Botafogo was leading the pivotal game 3-0 at halftime. Nevertheless, their opponents stormed back to win the fixture 4-3 dramatically. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20231208_WST_476049_Botafogo-fifth-1200x675.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-476087" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/Botafogo-fifth-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/Botafogo-fifth-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/Botafogo-fifth-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/Botafogo-fifth.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure><figcaption>Botafogo dropped points in each of its last 11 games in the Brazilian top flight.</figcaption></figure>



<p>A controversial red card fueled Palmeiras in the second half. After the game, Textor went on a rant against the refereeing in the game and even called on Brazil’s soccer president Ednaldo Rodrigues to resign. The Brazilian league <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/us-entrepreneur-banned-for-30-days-for-botafogo-outburst-20231108-WST-468129.html">banned the American</a> for 30 days for his comments. Rodrigues, in turn, began legal action against Textor for slander. The STJD eventually agreed with Textor that the red card was an incorrect call.</p>



<h2>Botafogo submits letter over Brasileirão match-fixing</h2>



<p>Textor’s fight against Brazilian soccer is not, however, over just yet. According to <em><a href="https://theathletic.com/5120819/2023/12/08/botafogo-palmeiras-brazil-title-textor/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Athletic</a></em>, Botafogo officials recently sent a letter to the STJD referencing refereeing mistakes that “cause extreme concerns.” The letter also contained hints at “possible manipulation” of game results as well. Along with the note, Botafogo also submitted match reports from a French firm that utilizes AI to help detect match-fixing.</p>



<p>The American investor also told the aforementioned news outlet that other Brazilian clubs are on his side. “We have multiple teams set to file an action to set aside this entire season,” <a href="https://theathletic.com/5120819/2023/12/08/botafogo-palmeiras-brazil-title-textor/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">proclaimed</a> Textor. “We have a mountain of evidence that can prove the contamination of this season’s results.”</p>



<p>Match-fixing allegations are, unfortunately, nothing new in Brazil. Eleven total top-flight league games needed replays in 2005 due to a previous refereeing scandal. Officials involved in the incidents accepted bribes to help manipulate games. Earlier this year, a separate scandal involved <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/brasileirao-games-being-investigated-for-match-fixing-20230419-WST-429123.html">several Brazilian players</a>.</p>



<p><em>PHOTOS: IMAGO</em>.</p>


Botafogo's US owner makes Brasileirao match-fixing claims

John Textor, the current owner of Botafogo, submitted documents to Brazilian authorities about potential match-fixing in the Brasileirão .


<p>Brazilian soccer authorities have banned American businessman John Textor for 30 days due to recent comments during an epic pitchside rant. Textor, 58, currently owns a stake in many soccer clubs around the globe, including Brazilian side <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/botafogo-tv-schedule-for-us-viewers/">Botafogo</a>.</p>



<p>The American was fuming after his club’s 4-3 defeat against <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/palmeiras-tv-schedule-for-viewers-in-united-states/">Palmeiras</a> on Nov. 1. Botafogo held a 3-0 lead before the halftime break. However, the visitors stormed back thanks to a game-winning goal nine minutes into added time. </p>



<p>A controversial red card late in the game fueled the comeback from Palmeiras. Botafogo center-back Adryelson exited for a dangerous tackle in the 76th minute. VAR officials reviewed the incident at length but stuck with the call.</p>



<h2>Botafogo executive Textor called on Brazilian soccer president to resign</h2>



<p>Textor took issue with the massive decision during an interview directly after the match. The American went as far as claiming that corruption hindered the game and even called on Ednaldo Rodrigues, the Brazilian Football Confederation president, to step down due to the controversy.</p>



<p>“The whole world saw it. That is not a red card, he got the ball first,” Textor <a href="https://twitter.com/worldsoccertalk/status/1720087029739049193" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">told</a> a <em>SporTV</em> reporter. “It is not a red card. [The referee] changed the game. This is corruption, this is theft. Please fine me, Ednaldo [Rodrigues], but you need to resign tomorrow morning. That’s what needs to happen.”</p>



<p>“This championship has become a joke. Nobody deserves this. Ednaldo, you need to resign for the good of the game. It has to be over now.”</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It&apos;s been a rough week for American entrepreneur John Textor who owns Lyon and Botafogo among many teams. <br><br>Botafogo were winning 3-0 but lost 4-3 after a goal was scored in 99th min. Corruption? Hmm. <a href="https://t.co/PP5VFymyqz">pic.twitter.com/PP5VFymyqz</a></p>— World Soccer Talk (@worldsoccertalk) <a href="https://twitter.com/worldsoccertalk/status/1720087029739049193?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>Along with Botafogo, Textor also currently owns French club <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/lyon-tv-schedule-for-us-viewers/">Lyon</a>, Belgian side RWD Molenbeek, and OL Reign of the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nwsl-tv-schedule-and-streaming-links/">NWSL</a>. The American previously purchased a 40% stake in <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a> team <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/crystal-palace-tv-schedule/">Crystal Palace</a> as well.</p>



<p>Botafogo finished 11th in the Brazilian <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/brasileirao-tv-schedule-and-streaming-links/">Serie A</a> during Textor’s first season at the helm. Nevertheless, the club currently sits atop the table in the current campaign. The recent result against Palmeiras, however, did have a significant impact on the title race. Palmeiras, the reigning Serie A champions, are now level on points with Botafogo. Textor’s team does have an extra game in hand compared to their rivals.</p>



<h2>Brazil superstar also recently feuded with Rodrigues</h2>



<p>The recent rant by Textor towards Rodrigues comes just weeks after Neymar vented frustrations at the exec. Following Brazil’s draw at home against <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/venezuela-national-team-tv-schedule/">Venezuela</a> in mid-October, Neymar <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/neymar-bashes-brazil-federation-president-for-game-location-20231016-WST-462406.html">confronted</a> Rodrigues in the tunnel. The superstar was not thrilled with the decision to play the match in the city of Cuiaba.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20231108_WST_468129_Palmeiras-Botafogo-1200x675.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-468187" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/Palmeiras-Botafogo-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/Palmeiras-Botafogo-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/Palmeiras-Botafogo-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/Palmeiras-Botafogo.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure><figcaption>Palmeiras made parity out of the Brasileirão with its win over Botafogo that Textor complained about.</figcaption></figure>



<p>Fans inside the stadium were also not happy with Neymar’s performance in the game. Some supporters of the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/brazil-national-team-tv-schedule/">Brazil</a> national team even threw popcorn at the Al Hilal forward. Neymar then threatened to sit out the team’s next match against <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/uruguay-national-team-tv-schedule/">Uruguay</a>. </p>



<p>Nevertheless, the star eventually cooled down and traveled with his teammates for the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-qualifiers-tv-schedule/">World Cup qualifier</a>. Uruguay eventually beat Brazil on the night, their first win over their rivals in over 20 years. Neymar started the match for caretaker manager Fernando Diniz but was substituted just before halftime due to an injury.</p>



<p><em>PHOTOS: IMAGO</em></p>


US entrepreneur banned for 30 days for Botafogo outburst

Botafogo owner John Textor has been given a 30-day suspension by Brazilian soccer authorities for a recent pitchside rant.

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