FMF denounces match-fixing, but may not proceed with the Prosecutor's Office
The complaint filed by the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) with the Attorney General's Office (FGR) for match-fixing in the Premier League and the Expansion League may not proceed, since there is currently no legislation in Mexico that penalizes this practice.
According to a criminal lawyer consulted by this newspaper and who preferred to remain anonymous, match-fixing is not classified as a crime in the Federal Penal Code or in the General Law on Physical Culture and Sport, which would prevent judicial authorities from acting accordingly.
"In terms of criminal law, laws must be exact and cannot be applied by analogy. If there is no legislation, there can be no crime," the specialist explained.
The scandal in these divisions of Mexican soccer led the FMF to sanction seven players with a cumulative ban of 57 years.
However, in its official statement, the organization acknowledged that it will only present an initiative to legislate on this issue, which reinforces the lawyer's position regarding the lack of a legal framework that allows those involved to be prosecuted.
The expert warned that, in this context, the complaint filed by the FMF could be just a strategy to calm the controversy.
He also said that the problem lies more in tax issues related to betting on unauthorized sites, rather than in the manipulation of matches itself.
Finally, the litigant stressed that anyone can file a complaint, but that its success will depend on the legal grounds that support it.
Ten days after suspending seven players for alleged match-fixing in the Third Division and the Expansion League, the Mexican Football Federation announced that it will file a complaint regarding these events with the Attorney General's Office, in addition to taking other measures to prevent a similar event from happening again.
Six of the seven sanctioned players played for Real Apodaca in the Premier League (Third Division of Mexico), and one more played for Correcaminos UAT.
So far, neither the federation nor the two clubs involved have revealed the names of the players. They have also not released specific details about the method of match-fixing, whether it was one match or several.
One player from Apodaca and another from Correcaminos received 16-year suspensions each. Three other footballers were sanctioned with seven years and two more athletes with two.
Those involved will not be allowed to participate in football in any sporting or administrative capacity, the organization said.
When announcing the penalties, the Mexican Federation also said it would notify FIFA of the punishments so they can be enforced outside the country, but has not received a response from the world soccer governing body.
In addition, the Disciplinary Commission warned the two clubs that in the event of a repeat offense, a process will be initiated to disaffiliate them from the Mexican Federation.
Positions adopted by the FMF after the case of “fixed” matchesWhat was done
- He was sanctioned with a 57-year suspension distributed among 7 footballers
- League presidents warned of legal consequences
- FIFA was notified so that the sanction could be international
- Monitoring will be redoubled to ensure that similar cases do not occur again.
- We work closely with the UN to develop best practices
New actions
- The FMF will file a complaint with the Attorney General's Office for these cases of match-fixing
- A bill will be promoted to toughen sanctions when similar cases occur.
- There will be workshops for members in conjunction with the Footballers Association to prevent them from being part of these practices.
- We will work together with federal authorities to maintain the integrity of the sport
- The FMF will strengthen its integrity department to monitor that cases like this do not occur
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