Luiz Henrique summoned to testify for suspicious yellow cards during Betis spell

Luiz Henrique, Botafogo and Brazilian National Team striker, was summoned on Tuesday to testify before a parliamentary commission of inquiry into illegal betting, on the eve of the Copa Libertadores final against Atlético Mineiro.

Brazilian senators on the commission also extended an invitation to Flamengo winger Bruno Henrique to appear as part of the investigation into suspicions of manipulation of on-field results.

In the case of Luiz Henrique, the former Real Betis player is obliged to testify before the legislative body on a date yet to be determined, after the approval of a request from the chairman of the investigation committee, Senator Jorge Kajuru.

The 'Selecao' attacker is suspected of being the beneficiary of two transfers for a total value of 40,000 reais ($7,000 or 6,550 euros at today's exchange rate), made in early 2023, for having received yellow cards while playing in Spain.

According to Brazilian authorities, the transfers were made by relatives of West Ham playmaker Lucas Paqueta, who is also under investigation in England for match-fixing.

The commission also approved to request the lifting of the banking, telephone and telematic secrecy of Bruno Tolentino, Paqueta's uncle, who remained silent last month in his appearance before the commission, protected by a decision of the Brazilian Justice.

Bruno Henrique was barely invited, after the former German Wolfsburg player was the subject of a police operation last week on suspicion of provoking a yellow card with the aim of enriching his family through sports betting.

The striker is one of the mainstays of Flamengo, which last Sunday won the Copa do Brasil after defeating Atlético Mineiro in the final.