Referees from the São Paulo Federation will have to register on a self-exclusion platform.

The São Paulo Football Federation will require all referees on its roster to register their CPF numbers (Brazilian taxpayer ID numbers) on the Ministry of Finance's self-exclusion platform for betting sites. This requirement will take effect upon publication of the federation's new General Arbitration Regulations. The federal government's tool has been available since December.

A week ago, the FPF (São Paulo Football Federation) sent a circular to clubs, referees, and staff recommending registration on the platform. For referees, the recommendation will no longer be a suggestion but will become mandatory after the new regulations come into effect.

Brazilian law prohibits athletes, referees, managers, and other individuals capable of altering results from placing bets. This prohibition is also included in regulations from the CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation) and FIFA. Betting companies themselves are encouraged to exclude from their accounts individuals who may have access to privileged information.

How self-exclusion works

The Ministry of Finance's platform restricts access for registered users to betting sites and advertising in the sector. Restriction periods can be one month, one year, or indefinite. Those who choose the indefinite period have one month to reconsider their decision.

Self-exclusion prevents that CPF (Brazilian taxpayer ID) registration from being activated on betting sites. Betting sites use other tools, such as facial recognition, to verify the bettor's identity.

Scope of the measure

The decision by the São Paulo Federation affects all referees on its roster. The circular sent by the organization also reached clubs and staff. For these groups, the measure remains a recommendation.

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) recently adopted a similar measure. The organization determined that the 72 referees chosen to be part of the first group of professionals must certify that their CPF numbers (Brazilian taxpayer identification numbers) have been removed from betting sites.

The São Paulo Federation has maintained an integrity committee since 2015. The committee works to prevent and investigate manipulation incidents. The organization provides an anonymous reporting channel on its website.