In the midst of the cases of match-fixing being investigated in Brazil, this crime continues to spread throughout South America, reaching Bolivia, where the Football Federation (FBF) of that country reported the existence of a “corruption network” that it involves “some” leaders, soccer players and referees, for which reason the suspension of their first and second division championships is being considered.
“Bolivian soccer is mortally wounded,” said the president of the FBF, Fernando Costa, at a press conference, letting it be known that one of the crimes that has consumed the sport in recent years has reached his nation.
Likewise, the president of the Bolivian soccer entity explained that said network works with “match fixing, bribery, and bets.” In addition, he revealed that “ex-directors” of the country and “foreign tentacles” are also involved in this, however, he did not name the alleged culprits.
“We see that practically most of the clubs in the Professional Division and most of the clubs that are participating in the Simón Bolívar tournament (the promotion championship) have been drilled,” said the president of the FBF.
Likewise, he insisted that these acts have “contaminated” the VAR, which is why the fact that “bad refereeing” is constantly seen in the country’s top-flight championship makes more sense and for which it is presumed that “this tournament is flawed.”
With the intention of sending a message of authority, Fernando Costa made it clear that he will not give rise to corruption during his term. “This president is not going to tolerate and he is not going to allow corruption to harm Bolivian soccer,” he said.
The top executive of the FBF identified “two objectives” behind these events as the economic benefit “illegitimately” and the intention to “damage the management” that he leads.
Meanwhile, the Bolivian football leader called several meetings and an Ordinary Congress of the FBF in which he will propose the “suspension and stoppage” of the two first division championships along with the promotion championship.
Such an action could harm “the entire Bolivian soccer system,” which includes the teams fighting for a ticket to next year’s Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana and those that are on the “relegation line,” he said.
The complaints contain “very serious” information, for which reason the FBF commissioned a group of lawyers to analyze this evidence and later deliver this content to the Bolivian Prosecutor’s Office, which will be followed by “exemplary sanctions” in the sporting sphere, he added.
Costa indicated that a report has also been requested from a company designated by FIFA to monitor the matches and that once this report is received, it will be sent to Conmebol and the world soccer body itself.
“The consequences could be severe if it is confirmed that the tournament has been contaminated in terms of sports integrity and transparency,” he remarked.
In the main tournament of the Professional Division, 17 teams that have played between 22 and 24 games compete, with The Strongest, Paz leading with 49 points.
That championship went into recess for the first day of the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in Mexico, the United States and Canada.
With information from EFE.
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