Match-fixing scandal rocks MLS: Rapids’ Max Alves ‘suspended amid links to $9k payment’
Match-fixing scandal hits MLS: Colorado Rapids midfielder Max Alves suspended amid bombshell links to $9,000 payment to receive yellow card in 2022 game
- An investigation in Brazil has shown ties to the Colorado player and a confirmation ring
- Reports indicate that Alves received the equivalent of approximately $12,000
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Major League Soccer announced that they have removed an unnamed player from team activities related to illegal sports gambling.
This follows reports from Brazil that Colorado Rapids player Max Alves was one of a group of players under investigation for receiving payments from match fixers.
This is reported by the Brazilian newspaper Oh Globo (via the Denver mail), the manipulation grew into a Rapids game. The report also suggests that Alves attempted to recruit former Houston Dynamo player Zeca into the scheme.
While the MLS statement did not specifically name an individual player, the statement was posted on social media about two hours after the Denver Post published their article quoting O Globo.
“Major League Soccer is aware of the reports of alleged involvement of a current player and a former player in connection with unlawful sports gambling,” the statement said.
Reports from Brazil say Colorado Rapids player Max Alves was paid in a match-fixing scandal
Alves reportedly received the equivalent of about $12,000 from the syndicate
The integrity of the game is critical to the league and MLS takes these allegations and any violation of the league’s integrity rules seriously.
“The current player has been removed from team activities pending an investigation into this matter, which will begin as soon as possible.”
The Rapids also released a statement late Wednesday night saying, “We are aware of the reports of a Colorado Rapids player in connection with unlawful sports gambling.
We take these matters seriously and try to protect the integrity of the game at all times.
“The player has been removed from all team activities while MLS investigates the matter.”
Alves has not been charged with a crime while the investigation is ongoing. However, the authorities of the Brazilian Public Prosecutor’s Office in the state of Goias have charged 16 people, including seven players.
According to O Golbo reporting, Alves was paid 45,000 Brazilian Reais ($9,000) for taking a yellow card in a September 2022 game against the LA Galaxy.
Max Alves was substituted in the 64th minute and in the 65th minute he received a yellow card.
Alves also referred another Brazilian MLS player, Zeca, to the plan, but it’s not clear if the right-back took part in a repair while playing with the Houston Dynamo.
Within days, reports show that Alves has been paid by the fixers and they have discussed an advance of more money.
In total, the report says Alves received the equivalent of about $12,000 from the syndicate, according to a spreadsheet.
While Alves is currently the only player involved outside of Brazil, reports indicate he referred Zeca to the fixers – with a plan for the last day of the MLS regular season in October 2022.
Alves joined Brazil’s Flamengo’s Rapids in January 2022 on a four-year contract with an option for a fifth on a guaranteed salary of approximately $293,000.
It is not clear whether Zeca in Houston participated in the scheme. He returned to Brazil and signed with new club Vitoria in 2023.