Crystal Palace shareholder John Textor has been acquitted by the Superior Tribunal de Justiça Desportiva (STJD) in Brazil for not presenting evidence that incriminated referees in alleged match fixing allegations.
GE Globo report that Textor, who also owns Botafogo in Brazil, was acquitted by the STJD on Thursday in his ongoing legal dispute in the country.
He is involved in a lawsuit for allegation of manipulation of results in the Brazilian championship after making claims of corruption last year.
Various legal cases have been brought as a result of his claims last year following Botafogo’s defeat to Palmeiras last year, which saw his side lose 4-3 in a crucial clash against their title rivals thanks to an injury time winner.
Botafogo had led that game 3-1 before a red card, following a lengthy VAR check, turned the tide against them. Textor later made allegations of corruption on live TV after the game and was later denounced by the STJD.
The Crystal Palace shareholder later brought extensive materials to support his claims to the Federal Senate (CPI) and the Public Ministry and the STJD. However, he had been accused of ‘omitting evidence’ according to GE.
This stemmed from the American claiming that he had audio recordings that incriminated Brazilian referees for complaining about not receiving bribes for intervening in matches. Textor did not present such evidence to the court. He has now been acquitted of those charges, with a vote of 6-2 in his favour in the matter.
It’s a small victory for the Crystal Palace shareholder, but not the end of his legal battle in Brazil. Five charges handed down in early September for his statements about match-fixing are yet to be dealt with. If found guilty, he face 810 days of suspension and a fine of R$500,000.
The STJD have been forced to postpone the trial last month as they analyse 35 reports from the company Good Game.
Good Game are the company hired by Textor to produce reports on refereeing and athlete behaviour during matches and have provided them to the court. They are now being translated so that the matter can be heard.
