RAPIDS

Rapids suspend player linked to international match fixing probe

May 11, 2023, 12:02 PM

The Colorado Rapids say they’ll be doing things without Max Alves for the time being, the midfielder has been connected to an alleged unlawful sports gambling probe by the Brazilian government.

The scandal broke Wednesday when a report from the Brazilian newspaper O Globo, alleged a match manipulation scandal in Alves’ native land, which eventually included a Rapids game.

The operation was named “Penalidade Maxima II,” and included a group of players receiving payments from match-fixers, per the report. The plan was from the alleged rigging ring had players do certain things in games from getting fouls to cards to profit bettors.

According to the Denver Post, Alves has not been charged with a crime, but authorities from the Brazilian Public Ministry in the state of Goiás charged 16 people on Wednesday, including seven players.

Alves is the only player at this time outside of Brazil involved in the operation, but there are texts in the newspaper report which show that this may expand to other MLS teams.

Those texts received by O Globo show Alves got about $12,000 for getting a yellow card in a match against the L.A. Galaxy on Sept. 17, 2022.

Alves joined Colorado in 2022 from big Brazilian club Flamengo, signing a four-year deal. Alves has netted two goals for the squad since coming to Colorado.

It seems unlikely that Alves will play this weekend against the Philadelphia Union.
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