The latest investigation into illegal betting in Mexican soccer

February 17, 2025

The latest investigation into illegal betting in Mexican soccer

The most recent investigation into illegal betting in Mexican football has revealed that players from Real Apodaca and other clubs placed bets against their own teams, involving significant sums of money. Given the magnitude of the scandal and the damage to the sport’s integrity, the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) took drastic measures. As a result, an exemplary sanction was imposed: seven implicated players were suspended, setting a precedent in the fight against illicit betting in Mexican football.

Sanctions for illegal betting

After the Disciplinary Commission of the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) announcement, Mexican football continues to make headlines, imposing severe sanctions on seven players for their involvement in illegal betting and match-fixing. The decision includes varying penalties, depending on each player’s level of involvement. One player from Real Apodaca FC and another from Correcaminos de la UAT were suspended for 16 years, while three Real Apodaca players received seven-year bans. Finally, two more players from the same club were banned for two years. This decision sends a clear message about the authorities’ stance against corruption in sports.

Investigation

The FMF initiated an official investigation after detecting irregularities in matches from the 2024-2025 season in the Liga Expansión MX and Liga Premier. After analysing the evidence and conducting formal hearings with those involved, the sanctions were determined based on the FMF’s Disciplinary Regulations, FIFA’s Code of Ethics, and the FMF’s own Code of Ethics.

According to the FMF’s Disciplinary Regulations, individuals involved in match-fixing or illegal betting activities face sanctions that include prolonged suspensions and financial penalties, depending on the severity of the violation. Additionally, FIFA’s Code of Ethics enforces penalties for breaches, including fines and bans from football-related activities for at least two years. It also mandates adherence to anti-doping and integrity regulations established by FIFA and CONMEBOL.

Ethics in sports and betting

Article 30 of the FMF’s Code of Ethics emphasises the importance of integrity and ethical behaviour for all Mexican football participants, prohibiting corruption, match manipulation, and betting participation that could compromise the fairness and transparency of competitions.

These provisions aim to uphold honesty and fairness in football, establishing clear sanctions for those who violate these rules.

In addition to individual suspensions, the clubs involved were warned that further violations of this nature could result in disaffiliation. The FMF has also announced that it will escalate the case to FIFA for review, potentially extending the sanctions to an international level.

Reactions and the future of Mexican soccer

The news has sparked varied reactions within the sports community. According to local reports, analysts believe the sanctions send a strong message to deter future infractions.

In its latest statement, the FMF reaffirmed its commitment to cooperating with authorities to strengthen monitoring and detection of similar cases in the future. Additionally, this situation is expected to prompt clubs to implement educational programs and awareness campaigns about the risks associated with illegal betting. As the iGaming industry continues its expansion across Latin America, it will be crucial for leagues and federations to work closely with legal operators and regulatory bodies to prevent cases like the one that occurred in Mexico.

This article first appeared in Spanish on 17 February 2025.