Ecuadorian Football Shaken by Three Player Killings Linked to Match-Fixing
Ecuadorian football games have been rocked by a series of tragic events, with three professional players losing their lives in the past month. The incidents have raised concerns about the influence of criminal organisations and illicit betting on the football games today.
The most recent victim was midfielder Jonathan Gonzalez, aged 31, who was shot dead at his home near the Colombian border. Days prior, Gonzalez received threats and his car was targeted in a shooting. Sources suggest these incidents were linked to his refusal to lose a football game for an online betting mafia.
Gonzalez played for Club 22 de Julio in the second division and was one of three Ecuadorian professional soccer players killed in the last month. Maicol Valencia and Leandro Yepez, both players for Exapromo Costa, also met violent ends. Yepez died in hospital after being shot at a hotel.
Ecuador's second division football games have been plagued by match-fixing allegations. A league report uncovered evidence of rigging in at least five football games this year, with one club offered US$20,000 to throw a match. About a dozen professional teams are backed by online betting firms, raising suspicions of money laundering by drug cartels.
Illicit sports betting is believed to generate around US$1.7 trillion annually worldwide, with soccer being a prime target due to its global appeal. However, there is no public evidence specifically naming Mafia groups involved in match-fixing in Ecuadorian football games today, despite drug trafficking being a major issue in the country.
The recent events in Ecuadorian football games highlight the need for robust measures to tackle the influence of criminal organisations and illicit betting. Players like Enner Valencia, Ecuador's all-time top scorer, have expressed fears about their safety. Those who comply with mafia demands to fix football games often find it difficult to escape their control, with some forced to flee the country. Authorities must act swiftly to ensure the safety of players and the integrity of the football games today.
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