Match-Fixing in Panamanian Football: Prison Sentences and Pending Trial
Match-fixing scandals are once again rocking Panamanian football. Two players have been convicted, a bribery network has been uncovered, and new suspicions have arisen following a controversial own goal that is now under investigation.
Two convictions have been handed down in the last two years for the crime of match-fixing in national football; such is the case of Operation Garra, carried out by the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office against Organized Crime, in which footballers Óscar McFarlane and Lilio Mena were sentenced to 24 months in prison. The investigation carried out by the Prosecutor’s Office established that the investigated parties participated in a scheme to fix football matches organized by the Panamanian Football League (LPF).
Bizarre Own Goal Prompts Match-Fixing Investigation in Panama
The Panamanian Football League (LPF) has launched an official investigation after a bizarre own goal prompted suspicions of match-fixing. Sporting San Miguelito goalkeeper José Calderón — who has 44 caps for the Panama National team — diverted the ball into his own net with his chest after failing to control a cross in the 90th minute, giving Alianza FC a 3-2 victory on May 2. The LPF announced on Sunday that it would be requesting explanations from the parties involved in the “serious incident.” “The league recognizes that mistakes can happen in football. However, it is also clear that some situations exceed this margin and are therefore unacceptable within the standards of professional competition,” a statement read.
The incident has sparked controversy in Panama. “Without prejudice to the presumption of innocence, the league will act with the utmost rigor and pursue the investigation to its fullest extent. “If wrongdoing is proven, exemplary sanctions will be sought. No individual conduct can jeopardize the work, effort and credibility of the hundreds of professionals, players, coaches and other very responsible individuals who support this tournament.” Calderón’s club, Sporting San Miguelito, also confirmed that it had filed formal complaints over Saturday’s incident, requesting “immediate, thorough and impartial investigations.”
“In the context of the current championship, we have identified, with concern, serious indications that could be linked to possible match-fixing, a situation that undermines the integrity, transparency and competitive spirit of football,” the club’s statement read. Calderón was included in Panama’s squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and was on the bench when England beat them 6-1 courtesy of a Harry Kane hat trick. Calderón did not feature during the tournament, and his last appearance for his national team was in 2021. Panama have once again been drawn in the same group as England for the upcoming World Cup, alongside Croatia and Ghana. Saturday’s incident comes two years after two players and one former player in the Panamanian league were arrested over match-fixing concerns relating to an incident in 2023.
