According to Joaquim Feitosa, former president and patron of the club, the measure seeks to prevent possible manipulation problems and protect América.
“We had a problem like this in 2022 and we have been policing ourselves since then. 'Bets' (as the operators are called) are currently regulated and are using the club's name. There is someone betting, someone making money and someone losing, however, the clubs are not winning anything. And if América is not winning anything, why would I expose the club's name?”
“With the mess that is happening in Brazil and around the world, with several athletes involved in alleged schemes, we understand that the best course of action is to stay away from betting houses,” said Feitosa.
According to lawyer João Gabriel Azevedo, the injunction filed by the club to remove the names was denied, but the merits of the lawsuit will still be judged.
According to the federal government, the regulated betting market will allow for the correction of “structural problems” and reduce risks associated with betting, such as over-indebtedness.
Despite the lawsuit, the patron of América de Propriá does not say he is against betting houses and leaves open the possibility of a future contract with one of the bets.
“The way things are, the club is just “stewarding the ship” and that is not in our interest. We did not order the club’s name to be put there and we can only ask the judiciary to have it removed. I am not against betting houses. If there is a contract in the future that is advantageous for both parties, we would do it. We exposed ourselves to the problem,” he stated.
“As it stands, the club is being dragged into this without consent, and that doesn't interest us. We didn't authorize the club's name to be used there, and our only option is to ask the judiciary to have it removed. I'm not against betting companies. If, in the future, there is a contract that benefits both parties, we would consider it. But right now, we are exposed to this issue," said Joaquim Feitosa.
Requests from América de Propriá in the lawsuit
1- As a preliminary measure, an interim injunction be granted, so that América Futebol Clube, together with its athletes registered in the 2025 Sergipe Football Championship, do not have their names used in any betting company under penalty of a fine;
2- The summons of the Union – Ministry of Finance to appear at the conciliation hearing, and present, if they wish, a defense, under penalty of default;
3- Deem the action admissible and remove the name, symbols, logos, registered athletes and any other mention of América Futebol Clube from the betting companies and brands regulated and managed by the Ministry of Finance, under penalty of a daily fine in the event of non-compliance;
4- The Union – Ministry of Finance be ordered to pay the legal expenses and attorney's fees;
5- The recognition of the Sports Entity's insufficiency, considering its economic and financial condition and its public utility nature, therefore, requires the granting of the benefits of free legal aid, exempting the entity from paying legal costs and other financial charges arising from this case;
6- Intends to prove the allegations by all means of proof admitted by law, including, but not limited to, witness statements, documents, expert reports, judicial inspections, among others that are necessary for the complete elucidation of the facts and the due proof of the truth.
Source: ge
