Brazil signs Macolin Convention to strengthen fight against match-fixing
Brazil has taken another step in the fight against the manipulation of sporting results.
On Friday, the country signed the Macolin Convention, the main international treaty aimed at preventing and combatting fraud in competitions.
The ceremony took place at the headquarters of the Council of Europe in France and represents progress in international coordination to protect the integrity of competitions.
The document was signed by the Brazilian ambassador to France, Ricardo Neiva Tavares, on behalf of the Brazilian government. The process was overseen by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the participation of the Ministries of Sport, Finance and Justice.
Extensive coordination between governments and entities
The Convention establishes mechanisms for cooperation between governments, public authorities, sports organisations, competition organisers and betting operators.
The objective is to strengthen the prevention, identification and tackling of practices that compromise the fairness of results and trust in sport.
“Brazil is taking an important step in protecting the integrity of sports,” said Brazil’s National Secretary of Sports Betting Giovanni Rocco. “We have already made progress with the creation of the National Policy for the Prevention and Combat of Match-Fixing in Sports.
“Now, with the signing of the Macolin Convention, we are expanding the possibilities for international cooperation. This work strengthens the fight against fraud and helps protect athletes, clubs and fans.”
The role of the Ministry of Sport
The Ministry of Sport has been monitoring the negotiations for Brazil’s accession since 2025. That was when the National Secretariat for Sports Betting presented a technical statement in favour of the country’s participation in the Convention.
In September of that year, the Brazilian government formally announced its intention to join the treaty, following a joint assessment by the ministries involved.
Since then, the Ministry of Sport has contributed technical and legal support and participated in discussions to monitor the process.
Another important initiative was the creation of the National Policy for the Prevention and Confrontation of Manipulation of Sports Results (PNPEMR). Established in March 2026, it is coordinated by the Ministry of Sport.
Developed in conjunction with the Ministries of Finance and Justice, with the participation of the Federal Police, the policy established guidelines for the regulation, prevention, monitoring, inspection and repression of sports fraud.
Cooperation to protect sport
Opened for signature in 2014 in the Swiss city of Macolin and in force since September 2019, the Convention establishes international guidelines to combat the manipulation of sports competitions.
By September 2026, the Macolin Convention had 43 signatory countries, of which 17 had ratified the treaty. Outside of Europe, Australia and Morocco are also among the signatories.
Brazil became the first country in the Americas to sign the Convention, expanding the international reach of cooperation against match-fixing.
Among the measures it provides for are the exchange of information between countries, cooperation between competent authorities, monitoring of suspicious movements related to sports betting and the strengthening of prevention and accountability mechanisms.
The treaty also provides for the creation of a national platform in each state, responsible for centralising information, facilitating communication between the sectors involved and contributing to the identification of possible irregularities.
The initiative acknowledges that the manipulation of competitions can involve transnational networks and interests. This requires integrated action to preserve the credibility of sporting competitions and society’s trust in sport.
Next steps
Brazil is making progress in the process of acceding to the Convention, but needs to complete internal steps to officially become a State Party.
The text must be submitted to the National Congress for analysis and approval. Subsequently, the country will need to to complete the ratification process, in accordance with the procedures established for the incorporation of international treaties.
The signing marks a new stage in Brazil’s rapprochement with international mechanisms to combat match-fixing. It reinforces the federal government’s commitment to a more ethical, transparent and safe sporting environment.