John Textor, owner of Botafogo’s SAF, is suing Leila Pereira, president of Palmeiras, in U.S. court. Upset by Pereira’s public accusations and the fallout of a controversial Botafogo vs. Palmeiras match in 2023, Textor hired lawyer Paul Tuchmann, who worked on the FIFAgate case.
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Textor’s lawsuit targets not only Pereira but also Mauro Marcelo de Lima e Silva, an auditor for the STJD, who has proposed a severe six-year suspension and a hefty R$2 million fine against Textor. The accusation? Ineffectiveness of the evidence Textor presented in a match-fixing investigation. Textor, feeling besieged, vows to fight back, stating both Pereira and Lima e Silva have overstepped their bounds.
The conflict began after a contentious match at Nilton Santos Stadium where Palmeiras beat Botafogo 4-3, a result that Textor challenged. Reports from AI firms like Good Game! analyzed player and referee actions, prompting match-fixing claims.
Textor reported his concerns to the Civil Police and STJD, leading to an official probe into sports betting and game fixing.
Pereira called Textor’s claims groundless, branding him a disgrace to Brazilian football. This clash has stirred up Brazilian sports, mixing legal fights with PR battles in both civil and sports courts. Palmeiras made the first legal move, filing with the STJD earlier this year.
