The Colorado Rapids have removed an unnamed player from all team activities amid a MLS investigation into unlawful sports gambling.
Multiple reports have stated the player in question is Max Alves, who is alleged to have been paid $12,000 to receive a yellow card in a match against the LA Galaxy on September 17, 2022.
Alves was booked for a foul less than two minutes after entering the game in question.
On Wednesday, prosecutors from the Brazilian state of Goias charged 16 people, including seven professional soccer players, with alleged match-fixing.
O Globo reported that Alves was part of that investigation, which saw five players suspended by Brazilian clubs on Wednesday. The Brazilian outlet also obtained texts showing former Houston Dynamo defender Zeca was in touch with an organization over possible match manipulation on October 8, 2022 — the final day of the regular season.
Zeca left the Dynamo at the end of last season and is currently with Brazilian second-tier side EC Vitória.
— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) May 11, 2023
A statement from MLS said that the league was aware of reports linking a current and former player with alleged unlawful gambling, adding that “the integrity of the game is critical to the league and MLS takes seriously these allegations.”
A statement from Major League Soccer. pic.twitter.com/7oZKKRqitV
— MLS Communications (@MLS_PR) May 11, 2023
Alves joined the Rapids in January 2022 from Flamengo in his native Brazil. The 21-year-old has made 38 total appearances for the Rapids since joining, 16 of which have been starts.
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