The Bolivian Football Federation (FBF) on Tuesday canceled two current Professional Division tournaments due to allegations of match-fixing and corruption and determined that a ‘lightning’ championship will take place for the rest of the year.
The decision was made after the FBF filed a formal complaint with the Prosecutor’s Office for “aggravated fraud and criminal association” after revealing the formation of an alleged “corruption network” involving players, managers, former managers and referees.
The president of the FBF, Fernando Costa, reported the conclusions of the Superior Council of the Professional Division, after that opportunity met in the eastern city of Santa Cruz with the presence of 17 first division clubs.
“With 14 votes in favor, one abstention and two against (the cancellation of the All Against All tournaments and the 2023 Cup tournament) has been resolved,” Costa said at a press conference.
serious indication
The president of the FBF mentioned that the decisions are due to the fact that there are “serious indications that both tournaments are broken”, so the decisions made will be referred to Conmebol.
In other determinations, the Superior Council of the Professional Division threatened the company SportTV Rights, owner of the broadcasting rightsto “withdraw the licenses it would have granted to betting platforms around the world” within 72 hours, at the risk of criminal prosecution.
three dismissals
In addition, it ordered the dismissal of three members of the referee’s commission, while the clubs demanded that “all the background” of the case be sent to the disciplinary courts to activate the processes.
And finally, the beginning of a new ‘extraordinary’ tournament that will start in the next few days and end at the end of December.
The complaint and the evidence
The FBF filed a complaint against at least 5 or 6 players, several referees and leaders on Monday before the Prosecutor’s Office in La Paz for the crimes of “aggravated fraud and criminal association” based on recordings and supporting witnesses .
A few days ago, an audio of a conversation between a soccer player and someone who offered to make a penalty in a game in exchange for $5,000 was leaked.
And in another recording released on Monday, allegedly the president of Vaca Diez, Marco Rodríguez, talk to a referee to fix the number of goals to be scored in a match.
The Strongest, Untitled Leader
In the main tournament of the Professional Division, 17 teams in the country competed and played between 22 and 24 games, with The Strongest, from La Paz, leading with 49 points, followed by Nacional Potosí (43) and the Bolivar (41).
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
