CONCACAF Apparently Investigating Group A Match Fixing Allegations

[TFCRegina]

Keep in mind the source is a blog.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/478477-concacaf-to-investigate-match-fixing-in-real-salt-lake-vs-araba-unido-game

[Joe Keeper]

If this does turn out to be somthing major, I would hope that CONCACAF would investigate the other group matches, especially the TFC vs. Arabe Unido game. The atrocious play acting and refereeing in that game to me is literally unbelievable. I wouldnt be surprised if that game was not doctored, if not almost totally rigged.

[Grizzly]

Seems very strange to be investigating a match in which the only surprising thing is that the team expected to win didn't win by a larger margin. Doesn't make sense at all. Now if CONCACAF were to investigate a certain Mr. Preki for the result against Arabe Unido that would make a lot more sense. He seemed to pretty much throw that game and without accusing him of anything, I would be very interested to know what his motives for this were.

[CanadianSoccerFan]

Here's the highlights

The 2nd Will Johnson goal is slightly fishy defending but other than that nothing really jumps out. I've seen highlights of other games alleged to be fixed and they tend to be much fishier than any thing seen there. Although it's not always obvious at all. With Arabe virtually eliminated and their players making peanuts it's a Declan Hill recipe for fixing.

[tmcmurph]

Seems very strange to be investigating a match in which the only surprising thing is that the team expected to win didn't win by a larger margin. Doesn't make sense at all.

Point spread my friend, point spread. Or total goals etc etc.

[Grizzly]

Point spread my friend, point spread. Or total goals etc etc.

Maybe but it seems strange to me that this is the game they are investigating in the group.

Game A between RSL and UA one would expect a 3-0 or 3-1 victory for RSL and it finishes 3-2 without any real questionable calls or goals.

Game B coach of TFC starts a very weak lineup against the group minnow after surprisingly defeating the group favourite and having a chance to be in the driver seat in the group. Add to that a dodgy ref, lots of questionable calls and a result which is not the expected one.

I certainly know which game I would be investigating.

[Lord Bob]

The source is, in fact, the Panamanian news site Panama America - their article and robo-translated into English.

[jpg75]

From what i gather Arabe Unido players are alleged to have been approached and the team itself contacted CONCACAF to make them aware what was going on.

[paul-collins]

Didn't TFC send a protest to CONCACAF after the divefest in Panama?

[Guest MooseTFC]

So far, there's not much here other than vague speculation. I agree that the TFC-Unido game is far more suspicious than the RSL-Unido game. Unless further (and far less vague) information comes out, I can't see a story.

What's the incentive for fixing this match (for any party involved)?

[Tuscan]

Money, plain and simple. A few bucks can go a long way...

[Guest MooseTFC]

Money, plain and simple. A few bucks can go a long way...

Sure, but why take the risk of getting caught to fix a game whose result is probably going to go in your favour anyway?

[CanadianSoccerFan]

Sure, but why take the risk of getting caught to fix a game whose result is probably going to go in your favour anyway?

I'll give you a clue. Monthly salaries in the Panamanian league are in the neighbourhood of $500/month. It doesn't take a huge amount of money to be corrupted.