Brazilian Clubs Weigh Flávio Bolsonaro Support After Betting Ban
Brazil.- 8 October 2026 | www.zonadeazar.com President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s betting ban has opened a new political front within Brazilian football.
According to media reports in Brazil, some clubs may be considering publicly endorsing presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro ahead of the 25 October runoff.
However, no such institutional endorsement has been officially confirmed so far.
Corinthians and Flamengo Mentioned
BandNews TV journalist Rodolfo Schneider said discussions were reportedly taking place between club representatives and Flávio Bolsonaro’s campaign.
Corinthians and Flamengo were among the clubs mentioned.
The information relates to reported talks rather than formal decisions announced by either institution.
Ban Triggers Club Anger
Tensions increased after Lula signed Provisional Measure 1.394/2026, prohibiting regulated sports betting and online gaming.
The measure forced operators to shut down their platforms and also ended new betting advertising and sponsorship activity.
Major Sponsorship Revenue at Risk
Betting operators had become one of the most important sponsor groups in Brazilian football.
Before the ban, 14 of the 20 Serie A clubs had betting companies as their main shirt sponsors.
Combined agreements were worth more than R$1 billion annually.
Betting Brands Removed From Shirts
From 5 October, clubs were required to remove betting advertising from kits and other promotional assets.
Some teams temporarily replaced operators with non-gambling brands owned by the same corporate groups.
Others began searching for replacement sponsors.
Flávio Criticises the Measure
Flávio Bolsonaro has described the ban as an attack on legal certainty.
The candidate argues that companies and football clubs invested after the Brazilian state itself created a regulated betting market and charged operators authorisation fees.
Position Does Not Mean Full Support for Online Gaming
His position does not necessarily represent support for restoring every part of the previous online gambling framework.
Flávio Bolsonaro has previously expressed scepticism towards online casino products while drawing a distinction between those games and sports betting.
An election victory would therefore not automatically restore the market under its former rules.
Clubs Pressure the Supreme Court
Alongside the political debate, football organisations continue to pursue judicial action.
A group of 21 clubs has supported challenges before the Federal Supreme Court questioning the constitutionality of the betting prohibition.
The cases are being handled by Justice Luiz Fux.
Brasileirão Protests Considered
Public demonstrations during Campeonato Brasileiro matches are also being discussed.
One reported initiative involves clubs using the message “proibir não é proteger” – “prohibiting is not protecting” – to express opposition to the measure.
Runoff Adds Political Dimension
The dispute is unfolding during the presidential campaign.
Flávio Bolsonaro secured 47.03% of valid votes in the first round, while Lula received 45.16%.
The two candidates will meet again in the 25 October runoff.
Risk of Further Politicisation
A formal endorsement of a presidential candidate by major football clubs would represent an unusual step in Brazil.
It could also deepen the politicisation of what began as an economic and regulatory dispute over betting.
Ban Remains in Force
While the political and judicial debates continue, the prohibition remains effective.
Licensed operators have stopped taking bets and betting-related sponsorship agreements are subject to the restrictions introduced by the provisional measure.
Next Steps or Impact
Attention will now turn to whether the reported talks develop into formal public endorsements of Flávio Bolsonaro by football clubs.
For now, the possibility should be treated as a media report rather than a confirmed institutional position.
At the same time, pressure from Brazilian football on the Supreme Court and Congress is likely to remain one of the strongest sources of opposition to Lula’s betting ban.
Editó: @fonta
