Colombian soccer bosses on Monday denied media reports that paramilitaries and drug traffickers had infiltrated the sport.
Luis Bedoya, president of the Colombian Football Federation, said he was surprised by reports by Sunday's Semana magazine and the Federation would launch an investigation.
Bedoya said that the two teams are watched by the Associations Superintendency that is part of the Columbian Sports Agency.
The report quotes a phone call where former paramilitary boss Jorge 40 offers to lend players from Cali team America to Valledupar soccer club.
The article also reported irregularities like Independiente Medellin, the current champion of both adult and junior leagues, who beat Real Cartagena in the final by scoring five goals in the final minutes.
Real Cartagena president, Rodrigo Rendon, told media that "we are not a branch of America. The fact that they have lent us players does not link us to them".
Jorge 40 is held at a high security jail in northeastern Colombia as part of the paramilitary disbanding provisions in the nation's Justice and Peace Law.
Source: Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article