Club President, Hugo Jorge Bravo, revealed during a press conference on Tuesday that former Vila Nova player Romario was under investigation from the Goiás Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP- GO), over alleged match fixing.
According to Bravo, the corruption revolved around the final round of fixtures in Serie B, with the player allegedly accepting cash to ensure a penalty kick is taken by a Vila player during the match.
Nonetheless, with Romario not being selected for the tie, he tried to convince teammates to get involved with the plans, as he already received a down payment for the fixing.
The game between Vila Nova and Sport Recife finished goalless – with the visitors, Recife being handed numerous red cards. However, with no penalty kick being given, the Vila Nova President revealed that three days following the game the suspicions of corruption came to light.
Bravo stated: “You only find out when it goes wrong. The buzz comes and then you fish. An attempt was made to make an individual action in a Vila game. A Vila player should have taken a penalty, which did not happen. When it didn’t happen, someone was harmed. And it was the betting booths.
“That same person started contacting me asking to go after Romário to return the R$10,000 down payment.”
At the end of the season, Romario departed Vila Nova and currently plays for Goiania Esporte Clube, however, he remains under investigation over the allegations of corruption.
