Paraguay’s football governing body is demanding a halt to betting on its matches following the revelation that one of its team owners is deeply connected with local sports betting operator Aposta.la.

This week, the executive council of the Asociación Paraguaya de Fútbol (APF) voted to prohibit the use of its trademarks and brands by the Aposta.la sports betting monopoly and the APF is prepared to go to court to enforce ownership of what it views as its intellectual property.

Local media quoted Juan Alberto Acosta, president of the first division Guaraní team, saying the APF wanted to ensure that “betting on our football does not happen anymore,” and the APF would take legal action if the local bookmaker didn’t comply with this ‘request.’

APF vice-president Carlos Sosa Jovellanos added that the two APF first division teams – Cerro Porteño and current champions Olimpia – that currently have sponsorship deals with Aposta.la would need to resolve those relationships pronto.