Five months after the death of Brazilian soccer legend Pele, the sport has been rocked by a historic match-fixing scandal that threatens the lifeblood of the national pastime in South America's largest country.
While leading U.S. sportsbooks have monitored foreign match-fixing schemes closely in the past, one that has embroiled several major Brazilian clubs resonates much deeper on North American soil. State prosecutors in the Public Ministry of Goias this month charged 16 individuals, including seven professional soccer players, in a comprehensive scheme involving at least eight 2022 matches.
While Colorado Rapids midfielder Max Alves is not among those charged, ESPN reported that he was placed on paid administrative leave in connection with the gambling investigation. Media reports have alleged Alves pocketed $12,000 to deliberately receive a yellow card in a Sept. 17, 2022, match against the LA Galaxy. Alves joined the Rapids from Flamengo, a famed Brazilian club and 1981 world champion.