Colorado Rapids suspend Max Alves after match-fixing allegations; MLS investigating
A Colorado Rapids player has been removed from all team activities after allegations of unlawful sports gambling, the team and MLS announced Wednesday.
Neither the Rapids nor the league confirmed who the player was, but multiple reports have identified the suspended player as forward Max Alves. The team said MLS is launching an investigation into the matter, while the league added a former player was also involved in the allegations.
"We are aware of the reports regarding a Colorado Rapids player in connection with unlawful sports gambling. We take matters of this nature seriously and seek at all times to protect the integrity of the game," the team said in a statement.
MORE: Iowa baseball team, other Hawkeye athletes under investigation by state gambling officials
What happened?
The Rapids' suspension comes after Brazil Justice Minister Flavio Dino announced Wednesday the country would launch a national investigation into soccer match-fixing "with inter-state and international repercussions."
State prosecutors reported in a statement 16 people are charged in the case, including seven footballers. Five players in Brazil were suspended by their clubs. The Brazilian soccer confederation said in a statement it had asked the government to investigate the alleged match-fixing so it can "centralize all the information about the cases under investigation." League chairman Ednaldo Rodrigues said he defends the suspension of players.
"The immediate response from Minister Flávio Dino shows the importance of effective changes that prevent crimes like these from staining the history of Brazilian football," league chairman Ednaldo Rodrigues said in a statement.
What are the allegations against Max Alves?
Brazilian outlet O Globo reported Alves is linked to the investigation, alleging he was paid $12,000 by an organization to draw a yellow card in a match against the LA Galaxy on Sept. 17, 2022. Less than two minutes after Alves entered the match in the 64th minutes, he drew a yellow card.
O Globo cited text messages between people involved in the fixing celebrating the yellow card, with other messages showing Alves connected the people with former Houston Dynamo footballer Zeca.
Who is Max Alves?
Born in Brazil, Alves joined Colorado in 2022 after making his professional debut in Brazil in 2021. He's appeared in 12 matches for the club in 2023, and appeared in the Rapids' 4-2 win over Sacramento Republic FC on Tuesday in the U.S. Open Cup.
Contributing: Mauricio Savarese, Associated Press
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Colorado Rapids' Max Alves suspended after match-fixing allegations
