By Andrew Warshaw
August 23 – In one of the most alarming match-fixing scandals of recent months, El Salvador has temporarily suspended 22 players, drawing an immediate response from its governing confederation, CONCACAF, which said it was “deeply saddened” by the allegations.
One of the matches under focus is a CONCACAF Gold Cup tie against Mexico in 2011 while suspicions have also arisen concerning El Salvador matches at the under-20 world cup in Turkey this summer, regarded as the second most important FIFA tournament.
El Salvador have already been eliminated from next year’s World Cup but that has not lessened the impact. Federation president Carlos Mendez (pictured) said the ban applies to club as well as national team games. Two of the players are with foreign clubs and discussions had been initiated with FIFA over their playing status.
According to Mendez, at least four important matches were under scrutiny including El Salvador’s 5-0 thrashing by Mexico in the 2011 Gold Cup, their opening game of that tournament. All the goals came in the second half with Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez, now of Manchester United, scoring a hat-trick including a penalty in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
Eight of the players who took part in that game are among those suspended. There is no suggestion that the Mexican players were aware of anything suspect.
Three other suspect games were friendlies, two in 2010 (USA 2 El Salvador 1, and DC United 1 El Salvador 0), plus a 4-1 friendly defeat in Paraguay last year.
“We are not saying the suspended players are guilty,” said Mendez. “”This is not a punishment, these are provisional, precautionary measures. [They have] the guaranteed right to a hearing so they can make their arguments and any rebuttals.”
Nevertheless, the case has sent shock waves through central America. Only two of those suspended are not internationals and Mendez revealed that “attempts” had also been made to “influence results” of the El Salvador team at the under-20 World Cup. El Salvador lost their opening match 3-0 to hosts Turkey, then beat Australia 2-1 but were eliminated after losing their final group game 3-0 to Colombia.
The full list of those suspended is: Luis Anaya, William Osael Romero, Ramon Sanchez, Christian Castillo, Eliseo Quintanilla, Miguel Grenadian, Miguel Montes, Dagoberto Portillo, Rodolfo Zelaya, Victor Turcios, Carlos Romeo Monteagudo, Dennis Alas, Alfredo Pacheco Mordecai Henriquez, Marvin Gonzalez, Carlos Carrillo, Darwin Bonilla, Rodrigo Alejandro Martinez, Reynaldo Hernandez, Ramon Flores, Benji Villalobos and Emerson Umana.
Sanchez, Romero, Quintanilla, Alas, Pacheco and Gonzalez all have over 50 caps each.
In a statement, CONCACAF, which has been endeavouring to eliminate corruption under its new regime, said it was “deeply saddened by these claims of match manipulation within the football community.”
“The Confederation fully supports the Football Federation of El Salvador and other pertinent organizations involved in the above mentioned investigation and hopes for a fair due process in order to determine the validity of these accusations.”
“The fight against match-manipulation to protect the integrity of the beautiful game is a top priority for the Confederation. In alignment with FIFA guidelines and in line with CONCACAF’s commitment to ensure the legitimacy of each game played throughout the region, it is our duty to fight against organized crime alongside all stakeholders involved.”
Local media in El Salvador reported that the authorities had raided the homes of several of the suspended players in six cities. Federal prosecutor Luis Martinez said computers, electronic tablet devices and mobile phones were among the items seized.
The prosecutor said there was already evidence of at least three offenses, including money laundering, and warned that not only players could be charged. “Possibly there are officials and some high-level people involved,” Martinez said. “We are going to get to the bottom of it.”
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