Colorado Rapids suspend Max Alves following MLS match-fixing allegations
Midfielder has been removed from team activities following reports in Brazil that he received payments for fixing events during matches
Colorado Rapids have suspended Brazilian midfielder Max Alves while MLS officials investigate reports from Brazil into an alleged match-fixing scandal.
According to a report from the Brazilian newspaper O Globo, Alves is among a group of players in an alleged match-fixing ring and was asked to perform certain actions in games, such as getting yellow cards or conceding corners to generate profits for sports bettors.
The report says Alves tried recruiting former Houston Dynamo midfielder Zeca into the scheme. It was also reported that Alves was offered BRL45,000 ($9,000) to take a yellow card in a match against LA Galaxy in September 2022.
Overall, the report alleges that Alves had received around $12,000 from the group.
MLS stated it was investigating the involvement of current and former players in this report but did not name Alves specifically.
“Major League Soccer is aware of the reports regarding alleged involvement by a current player and a former player in connection with unlawful sports gambling,” the statement said.
The statement continued: “’The integrity of the game is critical to the league, and MLS takes seriously these allegations and any contravention of the league’s integrity rules.
“The current player has been removed from team activities pending an investigation into this matter, which will begin promptly.”
Following this post, the Colorado Rapids released its own statement: “We are aware of the reports regarding a Colorado Rapids player in connection with unlawful sports gambling.
“We take matters of this nature seriously and seek at all times to protect the integrity of the game.
“The player has been removed from all team activities while MLS conducts an investigation into the matter.”