Flamengo displays «Proibir não é proteger» on jersey against Santos in protest over MP 1.394

Flamengo took the field against Santos at Vila Belmiro on October 8 with the phrase «Proibir não é proteger» (Banning is not protecting) in the main sponsor space on the jersey, according to ge and Lance!. The protest is a response to Medida Provisória No. 1.394/2026, which banned the operation of online betting operators in the country.

The campaign was coordinated by the Associação Nacional de Jogos e Loterias (ANJL) and the Instituto Brasileiro de Jogo Responsável (IBJR), according to BNLData. Companies linked to both organizations gave up their advertising board space at stadiums to display the same manifesto.

Financial impact estimated by the club

Flamengo had Betano as its main sponsor under a deal estimated at around R$ 266 million through the end of 2028, according to Yogonet, which cites Diário do Nordeste as the source of the figure. According to the same outlet, the club estimates an impact of up to R$ 430 million if the ban is upheld and has filed a challenge before the Supremo Tribunal Federal (STF) to question the effects of the measure.

The scenario is similar at other clubs. According to Lance!, when the MP was published, 14 of the 20 Série A clubs had betting companies as main sponsors. Yogonet adds that more than 20 clubs from Séries A and B have joined the STF case as interested parties, citing Terra.

MP 1.394: deadlines and legislative process

MP No. 1.394/2026 was issued by President Lula on September 25, according to Lance! and ge. The initial term is 60 days, renewable once for the same period, and the measure still needs to be reviewed by the National Congress to be converted into law or lose its validity.

In the judiciary, Justice Luiz Fux of the STF is reviewing the petitions related to the MP, according to Yogonet. Clubs and companies await a possible injunction. In parallel, a meeting between clubs and federations with government ministers at the Palácio do Planalto was postponed, according to ge, and the expectation is that a government credit line to financially compensate the teams will be discussed.

Next act: Fla-Flu at Maracanã

The protest is expected to be repeated in the derby between Flamengo and Fluminense on Sunday, October 11, at 5:30 p.m., at Maracanã, for the 30th round of the Brasileirão, according to Metrópoles. The outlet reports that Superbet, Fluminense's sponsor, and Betano aligned so that both clubs will feature the «Proibir não é proteger» campaign on their kits during the match.